NATO, Britain Reaffirm Commitment Against Terrorism

In a strongly worded speech to his political party today, Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair denounced Osama bin Laden as the prime organizer of the attacks.

“We know those responsible… Chief amongst the sponsors and organizers is Osama bin Laden. He is supported, shielded and given succor by the Taliban regime,” Mr. Blair told supporters. “They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000 does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?”

Mr. Blair also criticized Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban leaders for harboring bin Laden.

“I say to the Taliban: surrender the terrorists; or surrender power. It’s your choice,” the British prime minister said.

Taliban representatives in Pakistan dismissed the threat and renewed their call to be provided proof of bin Laden’s involvement.

“Only Allah changes the regime and only Allah brings the others instead of us,” Abdul Salam Zaeef told reporters. “We don’t want to surrender [bin Laden] without any proof, any evidence.”

International pressure continued to mount as American ambassadors in Pakistan and Brussels outlined their case against bin Laden and his al Qaeda network.

“The information presented points conclusively to an Al-Qaeda role in the 11 September attacks,” Secretary General Lord Robertson said from NATO’s headquarters in Belgium. “On the basis of this briefing, it has now been determined that the attack against the United States on 11 September was directed from abroad and shall therefore be regarded as an action covered by Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states that an armed attack on one or more of the Allies in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.”

In Pakistan, President Pervez Musharaf told reporters it appeared inevitable that Afghanistan would face a military response.

Asked if the Taliban’s days were numbered, he told the British Broadcasting Corp.: “It appears so.”

Back at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced he would travel to the Middle East later Tuesday to discuss the American war on terrorism.