America Attacked - April 17, 2002

America Attacked

Allies Strike Back

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Important Web Sites

• The White House

• Report Information to FBI

• American Red Cross - New York City

• New York Blood Center

• American Airlines
Call: 1-800-245-0999

• United Airlines
Call: 1-800-932-8555

• Family Member Information Lines (MSNBC)

• New York Emergency Information (NYC.gov)

• Nationwide Emergency and Contact Information (USnews.com)

• Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Defense Department

• State Department

• Justice Department

• FBI

• Transportation Dept.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency

• USAMA BIN LADEN - FBI Ten Most-Wanted poster

Chronology: All time shown below are approximate Eastern Daylight Times.

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

NOTE: Reports from news sources involving movements or operations of United States military personnel NOT confirmed by named U.S. government officials will be labeled as such.

U.S. War on Terrorism
Rumsfeld Dismisses Report of Bin Laden Escape (Reuters) -- Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld defended U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks against claims in a Washington Post report that Osama bin Laden had been allowed to escape from the Tora Bora battle in Afghanistan. Rumsfeld stated that U.S. commanders never had conclusive proof of bin Laden's whereabouts.

Bush Updates War on Terror Progress (The White House)
Citing regrouping by "cells of trained killers." President Bush stated the war on terrorism remained far from over. The president also address the Middle East crisis in a speech to cadets of the Virginia Military Institute.

U.S. Soldier Injured in South Afghanistan Shooting (Reuters) -- According to Afghan officials, a U.S. special forces soldier was wounded by a shot fired from a crowd in the southern city of Kandahar. "He is alright with a light injury, and he was fired at from a distance," according to Khalid Pashtoon, a spokesman for the Kandahar governor.

U.S. Concludes Bin Laden Escaped at Tora Bora Fight (Wash. Post) -- According to White House officials, Osama bin Laden escaped the battle of Tora Bora in Afghanistan late last year. According to unnamed civilian and military officials, the decision not to hunt him down at the time was the U.S.'s gravest mistake in the war against the al Qaeda.

Middle East Crisis
Israeli Tanks Open Fire in Streets of Jenin Camp (Reuters)
Powell Says Sharon Gives 'Timeline' on Withdrawal (Reuters)
Powell Ends Arafat Talks Amid Palestinian Anger (Reuters)
Arafat Says Israeli Troop Withdrawals Not Genuine (Reuters)

Related Stories
U.S. Officials Face Lawsuit Over Alleged Abuse of Sept. 11 Detainees (Reuters)

Related Links
DefendAmerica.mil
The latest news on the war on terror from the U.S. Department of Defense
Most Wanted Terrorist List (FBI)
To Report Terrorist Activities to the FBI (FBI)
Profiles: Arafat, Sharon, Powell (CNN)

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