Afghanistan Official: Civilians Killed In Attack

WASHINGTON -- The Taliban's ambassador to Pakistan said that Afghan civilians were killed in the U.S.-British attack on Afghanistan Sunday.

"Civilians died. It was a very huge attack," Ambassador Abdul Salam Zaeef said.

Zaeef would not say how many civilians died or how he got his information.

Bombing Raids Complete First Phase

The first phase of American-led bombing raids against the Taliban government and Osama bin Laden's groups in Afghanistan "worked out perfectly," according to one U.S. pilot.

The U.S. Air Force pilot who was identified only by his call sign "Woodstock," was the lead B-52 pilot in the attack.

"We trained for this eventuality, but we're equipped to handle anything," he said. "It was like a finely oiled machine."

There were 40 U.S. warplanes involved in the first wave of the attack, according to Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The chairman said that 15 land-based bombers and 25 other strike aircraft from U.S. aircraft carriers began Sunday's attack shortly after darkness fell in Afghanistan.

The planes included B-2 stealth bombers that flew 14,000 miles from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. After dropping their bombs, they continued to the British island base of Diego Garcia.

In addition to the B-2s, officials said Air Force B-1 Lancers and B-52 long-range bombers were used as well as carrier-launched Navy F-A-18 and F-14 fighters.

Sunday's Attack Only First Phase

The military operation in Afghanistan is part of a multipronged attack, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said.

Rumsfeld held a press briefing at the Pentagon shortly after President George W. Bush announced Sunday afternoon that the United States had begun military strikes against Afghanistan's ruling party.

Rumsfeld said that the attacks in Afghanistan will continue "in a variety of different ways and we intend to pursue it until they disarm the terrorist network being harbored by the Taliban regime."

The military attack against Afghanistan is being carried out with Tomahawk cruise missiles, 500-pound gravity bombs and some computer-guided bombs.

Rumsfeld explained "in this battle against terrorism there is no silver bullet," and "ultimately they are going to collapse from within because of all the forces brought to bear" against them.

There are both visible components to this operation, like the attacks launched today, as well as less visible operations, which include "economic, humanitarian, financial, and diplomatic activities, which are well under way."

In fact, Myers explained at the briefing that two C-17 planes dropped humanitarian aid over Afghanistan Sunday, as part of this operation.

The air-dropped plastic pouches of food enriched with vitamins and minerals are designed to flutter to the ground, hopefully into the hands of refugees weakened by hunger and travel.

The food doesn't contain any animal products so it won't violate any religious or cultural practices.

The yellow packets feature a stencil of an American flag -- and the words, in English: "This food is a gift from the United States of America."

In terms of the military attacks, Rumsfeld said "our raids today focused on Taliban and foreign terrorists" being harbored by the Taliban.

In answer to a reporter's question, Rumsfeld said that the operation did not target bin Laden in particular. The secretary reiterated that this is "not about an individual or religion." Calling terrorism a "cancer on the human" race, Rumsfeld said "the only way to do it is to take the battle where they are and to root them out."

Rumsfeld stressed that today's attacks were to set the conditions for military action in the future, to clear away Afghanistan's defenses, to help anti-Taliban forces already in the country, and to help U.S. planes deliver humanitarian aid.

Earlier Sunday, in an address to the nation, Bush said U.S. and British forces were taking "targeted actions" against the terrorist network and the Taliban military.

He said the United States gave the Taliban rulers a choice to turn over bin Laden and other suspected terrorists -- and they refused.

Now, he said "the Taliban will pay a price."

The Taliban regime declared the assault on Afghanistan a "terrorist attack."

In their first official reaction to the U.S.-led attacks, the Taliban vowed that America "will never achieve its goal."

Following the beginning of the attack, a Taliban diplomat said the ruling party is "ready for jihad" -- or holy war.

In a videotaped statement released after the U.S. attack began, bin Laden said war against Afghanistan and him is "war on Islam."

Bin Laden, shown dressed in fatigues and an Afghan headdress, said "America was hit by God in one of its softest spots. America is full of fear from its north to its south, from its west to its east. Thank God for that."

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More about bin Laden's statement

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U.S. officials aren't giving much weight to the comments from bin Laden.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said bin Laden and the Taliban "have said all kinds of things that are often at odds with reality."

Bush: 'We Did Not Ask For This Conflict'

Bush said there is no neutral ground in the fight against terrorism.

The president said "Today we focus on Afghanistan" -- but he added that the "battle is broader."

He said the United States did not ask for this conflict -- but he said "we will win it."

The president addressed this comment to the men and women in the U.S. military: "Your mission is defined, your objective is clear and your goal is just."

He told them they will have "every tool" they need to carry out those objectives.

Bush concluded with a promise: "The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waver, we will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will not fail."

A spokesman said that since the beginning of the strikes, Bush has shuttled between the White House residence and the Oval Office.

Vice President Dick Cheney has been taken to an undisclosed secure site. As a further precaution, police in Washington have shut down the street in front of the State Department.

Explosions Rock Kabul As Attack Begins

Rumsfeld said Sunday that the opening round of the attacks was a salvo of 50 cruise missiles and air-dropped bombs that targeted terrorist sites.

There were reports of loud explosions and anti-aircraft fire in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Witnesses said five large explosions shook the city, followed by the sounds of anti-aircraft fire.

In addition to Kabul, strikes hit the cities of Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and, Mazar-e-Sharif, according to a CNN report.

Among the targets known to be hit was the command and radar station at Afghanistan's main airport, according to a CNN reporter in Kabul. Sunday's raids are expected to be just the first phase of the operation called "Enduring Freedom."

British Forces Involved In Attack

In a televised speech, Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed that British submarines were deployed. Blair paid tribute to the British armed forces, which he called "amongst the very best in the world."

Blair described Britain's involvement as supplemental to American forces and in cooperation with forces from Australia, Germany, Canada and France.

"The Taliban were given the choice to side with justice or to side with terror," he said, echoing Bush's words. Blair said that the ruling regime of Afghanistan had two weeks to comply with demands to hand over bin Laden. "They chose to side with terror."

Blair said there are 4 million Afghan civilians on the move, 2 million refugees in Pakistan and nearly as many in Iran - all of whom need aid to survive.

"There are dangers of acting," the prime minister said. "But the dangers of inaction are far, far greater."

Rumsfeld said the attacks on Afghanistan will help clear the way for a "sustained" anti-terrorist and humanitarian relief operation there.

The goal is to defeat terrorists -- "and those who house and support them," he said.

Rumsfeld said the military action is aimed at getting rid of the Taliban's air defenses and aircraft. The targets also include command facilities for those who support terrorist elements, and "critical terrorist sites" in Afghanistan.

He said it's "flat wrong" to suggest that these attacks target the Afghan people.

Congress Issues Statement Of Support

Leaders in Congress issued a joint statement in support of the military action in Afghanistan.

The lawmakers said they "stand united with the president and with our troops" and sid they'll keep working together to "do what is necessary to bring justice to these terrorists and those who harbor them."

The statement came from the Republican leaders in the House and Senate, Rep. Dennis Hastert and Sen. Trent Lott and the Democratic leaders from both bodies, Rep. Dick Gephardt and Sen. Tom Daschle.

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