Just the Phax
Last Updated: 1855 Hours Eastern Standard Time, September 17, 2001 C.E.
A website devoted to presenting all reputable evidence
regarding the World Trade Center bombing.
Quote of the moment:
"When I first saw it, I didn't think it was real. It didn't look real. It looked like I was watching a movie. They looked like extras, until I saw their faces. Then it hit me... they weren't just running. They were running for their lives."
- A fifth grader's reaction to the WTC Attack.
If anyone has heard about or seen Matthew Barnes, a NYC Firefighter who was in the South Tower before it collapsed, please contact me ASAP. I will attempt to upload a picture for easy recognition.
This is our Pearl Harbor. This is our Kennedy Assassination. Only this time there are no markings on the planes, there is no grassy knoll, there is no gun sticking out of a window. This is the beginning of what will be a long, arduous conflict and it will likely shape the twenty-first century. Just as our grandfathers did on that fateful day in 1941, we must stand in the face of "A day that will live in infamy" and defeat the newest threat to freedom.
Greetings. I am Sky. Outraged by the travesty that has taken place today, September 11, 2001, in New York City, I have begun a search for all reputable information regarding possible suspects for the carnage that occurred in Downtown Manhattan this morning. Every day I will update this site with whatever relevant information is posted. Essentially I scour the internet and filter the junk so you don't have to, and so you stay informed.
Articles - 9/17/2001
Special Thoughts of an Afghan-American on Tuesday's Attacks and our Retaliation-To-Come
An editorial from an Afghan-American about the recent events and how we should retaliate. Read for an interesting perspective.
Is
American Infrastructure at Risk?
New
The Sept. 11 attacks are affecting financial and economic matters in
the United States and even abroad. If the perpetrators did not imagine these
effects, they certainly see them now. Will this inspire them to strike key U.S.
infrastructure?
The
Intelligence War
New
Attention is turning
to the need for an intense, covert war in which the American intelligence
community will play a leading role.
Special
U.S.
Faces Islamic Radical Network
New
The United States is
declaring war on international terrorism. But such a fight will not just be
against suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden and his organization. Washington
will also have to dismantle a global Islamic terrorist network.
Martyring bin Laden May Increase Attacks
Publicly released evidenceis pointing to Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in last week's terrorist attacks on the United States. The evidence found so far suggests that whoever planned the attacks is attempting to focus the blame, and inevitable U.S. reprisal, on bin Laden. But arresting or killing bin Laden may make a martyr out of him, and increase attacks on U.S. targets.
Pakistan
Key for Afghan Attack
The United States is looking increasingly likely to strike
Afghanistan for its harboring of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, the prime
suspect in this week's terrorist attacks on the United States. But to do so
cooperation with Pakistan will be the key.
Russia's
View, Russia's Options
The Kremlin is debating the proper course to take on the United
States' newly declared war on terrorism. Siding with Washington could mean a
golden opportunity to have the United States acknowledge Russia's geopolitical
interests in the former Soviet Union, but it also presents dangerous potential
for future domestic troubles.
FBI List of Suspected Hijackers
Today's Events - 9/17/2001
(most recent listed first)
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced Sept. 17 he would approve a meeting between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority leader Yassar Arafat following an "absolute cessation of violence for 48 continuous hours," reported the Jerusalem Post. 2145 GMT, 091701
A team of Pakistani officials will extend their stay in Afghanistan one more day to push for the extradition of suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, said presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi Sept. 17. The team is visiting the Taliban in an effort to convince them of the possible danger of retaliatory strikes from the United States, according to Reuters. 2140 GMT, 091701
The United States is enforcing a 500-yard security zone around each U.S. Navy ship, which bans any other ships from coming within 100 yards of them, reports the Los Angeles Times. Authorities have already searched hundreds of vessels and checked their crews before allowing them to enter harbors. 2103 GMT, 091701
The United States has deployed up to 50 security agents in Pakistan to obtain information regarding the feasibility of getting troops into Afghanistan, AFP reported Sept. 17. 2100 GMT, 091701
The U.N. refugee agency has decided to send emergency personnel to Iran and Pakistan in anticipation of a major increase in Afghan refugees, the BBC reported Sept. 17. The UNHCR said the Taliban's headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan, is half empty as Afghans flee in fear of U.S. military strikes. 2050 GMT, 091701
The Center for Global Energy Studies said Sept. 17 that oil demands will rise between the third quarter of 2001 and the first quarter of 2002. The organization also said that OPEC's output is expected to decrease 600,000 barrels per day to 26.4 million barrels per day. 2030 GMT, 091701
German President Johannes Rau said Sept. 16 that he does not expect the German army to participate in a military response to the attacks on the United States, telling German radio that required support will likely be of a logistical nature. Any deployment of German troops requires the approval of the German parliament. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been working to build support for a coalition, will fly to Berlin Sept. 19 for talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. 2026 GMT, 091701
The Taliban has
reportedly moved a large arsenal of weapons, including Russian Scud missiles, to
positions near the border with Pakistan, Reuters reported, citing a Pakistani
army officer. The Taliban earlier reportedly deployed between 20,000 and 25,000
troops just across the border from the Khyber Pass into Pakistan. 2020 GMT,
091701
Islamic parties in Pakistan announced Sept. 17 they would launch a nationwide campaign in the country tomorrow to protest the government's support of U.S. military action in Afghanistan, Pakistan News Services reported. 2018 GMT, 091701
Stocks of airlines such as AMR and U.S. Airways, and airline suppliers like United Technologies and Boeing, fell off sharply in Sept. 17 trading on U.S. markets, while defense contractors such as Raytheon and Northrop Grunman were up by over 6 and 12 percent respectively as of mid-afternoon. Intel and Starbucks joined a growing number of companies who said they will defend their issues by taking advantage of loosened SEC stock buyback rules, CNNfn reported. As of 2:07 p.m. EDT, the Dow Jones industrial and Nasdaq composite index were both down about 6 percent, while Standard & Poor's 500 index was off more than 4 percent. 2005 GMT, 091701
A Taliban spokesman told the Afghan Islamic Press Sept. 17, after a meeting with Pakistani military officials, that the organization was 60 percent hopeful the crisis with the United States -- over demands that Osama bin Laden be handed over -- would be defused, reported the Pakistan News Services. 2000 GMT, 091701
Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has announced that a decision will be made Sept. 18 over whether Osama bin Laden will be allowed to stay in the country, BBC reported. Omar said the decision will be made by Islamic leaders from all over the country. Officials from Pakistan traveled to Afghanistan Sept. 17 to push for the extradition of bin Laden, the prime suspect in last week's terrorist attacks. 1955 GMT, 091701
Pakistan reportedly told the United States Sept. 17 that Israel and India could not participate in any military retaliation for last week's terrorist attacks in the United States, Pakistan News Service reported. The government also reportedly asked for some relief from the United States regarding sanctions and for help in restructuring its $30 billion international debt. 1840 GMT, 091701
The White House announced Sept. 16 that it is considering including lifting a 25-year ban on U.S. personnel involvement in foreign assassinations, according to the Washington Post. Other proposals include giving the FBI more surveillance leeway in the areas of wiretaps, detaining foreigners and tracking money-laundering cases. Many civil liberties advocates immediately criticized the new proposals. 1834 GMT, 091701
Thailand Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai announced Sept. 17 that Southeast Asia, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, encourages the United States to "obtain clear-cut evidence and a thorough investigation" before ordering a military retaliation for last week's terrorist attacks against the United States, Reuters reported. 1825 GMT, 091701
Chechen rebels
reported Sept. 17 the launching of their largest offensive in months, according
to Reuters. A rebel spokesman, Shamil Basyaev, announced that the rebels took
over a Russian military headquarters in Gudermes, ordered a suicide car bombing
at a checkpoint in Argun, and launched an attack on an armored convoy. Interfax
reported the rebels downed an Mi-8 helicopter in Grozny. Russian officials
confirmed a surge in fighting but were still checking into the scale, and said
the helicopter experienced an accident on board, but gave no further details.
1815 GMT 091701
Taliban officials closed Afghanistan's air space Sept. 17 to all flights in anticipation of attacks from the United States, reports the Middle East News Online. Taliban Civil Aviation Minister Akhatar Mohammad Mansoor announced the group will take action against anyone ignoring the ban. Red Cross and U.N. flights may enter the airspace only if they have advance approval from the Taliban Foreign Ministry. 1805 GMT, 091701
The United States
asked the International Atomic Energy Agency Sept. 17 to take measures to
prevent terrorists from obtaining nuclear material following the last week's
terrorist attacks in the United States, AFP reported. U.S. Energy Secretary
Spencer Abraham told a meeting of the IAEA that nuclear safeguards must be put
in place as well as a ban on exports of nuclear material to countries where it
could be stolen. 1902 GMT, 091701
The Tajik defense minister said Sept. 17 that China has granted eight $1 million
to strengthen the armed forces of Tajikistan, AFP reported. The announcement
came as a Russian division of 7,000 men based in Tajikistan was put on alert in
anticipation of possible U.S. strikes on Afghanistan in retaliation for last
week's terrorist attacks on the United States. 1857 GMT, 091701
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomenei condemned any probable military action against
Afghanistan "which will lead to another human tragedy," according to
IRNA. The leader also said that Muslims are duty-bound to voice their protests
against the crimes of the "Zionist regime." 1855 GMT 091701
Police and judicial officials from France, Germany, Holland and Belgium warned Sept. 17 that a Mujahideen network is operating in Europe, but did held off on linking it to Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in last week's terrorist attacks in the United States, AFP reported. 1850 GMT, 091701
Abdulaziz Alomari, a Saudi man identified by the FBI as one of 19 hijackers in last week's terrorist attacks in the United States said in an interview that his passport was stolen in Colorado in 1995, Reuters reported. 1833 GMT, 091701
U.S. Attorney
General John Ashcroft said Sept. 17 that associates of the men who carried out
suicide attacks in the United States last week may still be in the country,
Reuters reported. 1830 GMT, 091701
Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said Sept. 17 the government would consider lending its military bases to U.S. forces for staging strikes in neighboring Afghanistan, AP reported. Pakistan also virtually shut down its border with Afghanistan Sept. 17, preventing refugees from entering and halting nearly all trade across the 1,560-mile frontier. 1735 GMT, 091701
U.S. stock markets reopened Sept. 17 for the first time since the terrorist attacks last week on the World Trade Center. The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by one-half point to 3 percent in an effort to keep the economy out of recession, as the Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq both fell about 5 to 6 points at the start of trading, Reuters reported. The European Central Bank also cut its own key interest rate by a half percentage point Sept. 17. 1732 GMT, 091701
The supreme leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban will reportedly let a grand council of Islamic clerics decide whether to hand over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in last week's terrorist attacks, to the United States, the Washington Post reported, citing Taliban-run radio. The announcement came after a meeting with a Pakistani delegation which pushed for bin Laden's extradition. 1720 GMT, 091701
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank announced Sept. 17 that they had canceled this year's annual meetings planned for late September, due to last week's terrorist attacks in the United States, the Washington Post reported. 1712 GMT, 091701
The Asahi Shimbun and the Daily Yomiuri Online are reporting significant training and mobilizing activity at U.S. naval and air bases across Japan. The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens departed the Yokosuka Naval Station, home of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, Sept. 15. The same day U.S. tanker Rapahanock departed the U.S. base in Sasebo. The report cited statements by U.S. Navy officials that all ships based at Yokosuka had completed preparations for departure, while U.S. Defense Agency officials said aircraft carriers based at Yokosuka were likely to leave for the Middle East sometime this week. U.S. bases on Okinawa and Sasebo are also on a heightened state of alert. 1650 GMT 091701
Opposition sources in Saudi Arabia said at least two followers of Saudi militant Osama bin Laden followers were arrested over the weekend in Mecca, MENL reported. One suspect was identified as a Pakistani national, Shkeel Choudary, and the other, Tufail Nizam Eddin, was identified as an Indian national. Both were said to have been members of the Muhajiroun group, which represents bin Laden's interests abroad. 1645 GMT, 091701
The BBC reported
that a British task force of 17 ships led by the HMS Illustrious is headed
towards the Persian Gulf. 1624 GMT 091701
Saudi Press Agency reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri will
make an official visit to Syria on Sept. 18 for talks with Syrian premier
Mohammad Mustafa Miro. 1630 GMT 091701
IRNA reports that the Taliban has closed Afghanistan's air space to all foreign
flights. 1633 GMT 091701
Gulf News Online reports that 42 Pakistani religious and political groups gathered in Lahore on Sept. 16 for an all-party conference called by the Jamaat-e-Islami, a major religious party. The conference urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf not to help the U.S. in a retaliatory assault against Afghanistan, warning that such assistance could result in a violent popular backlash within Pakistan. 1615 GMT 091701
Reuters reported
that 3,000 U.S. marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and
Amphibious Squadron One rehearsed helicopter and ship-to-shore landings off East
Timor on Sunday. According to the report, three amphibious ships, harrier jets,
helicopters and landing craft practiced naval and air maneuvers. The marine unit
was already in the area to provide humanitarian work in Dili. 1547 GMT 091701
In hopes of stemming a rise in the yen against the dollar, the Bank of Japan
bought large amounts of dollars on Monday. Market players cited by Reuters said
that the intervention was between $100 and $300 million, and resulted in a rise
in the dollar from below 117 yen to over 118 towards the end of Japan's trading
day Sept. 17. 1555 GMT 091701
Reuters reports
that 50 leaders of a pro-Taliban Pakistani group called the Afghan Defence
Council will meet Monday in Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city. The group
was formed in response to U.N. sanctions invoked in January against the Taliban
to force the surrender of Osama bin Laden. 1530 GMT 091701
Major U.S. markets have dropped by about 5 percent in early trading Monday. At
10:20 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones industrial average had fallen by 602 points to
9,003, while the Nasdaq composite index had gained ground over earlier losses
and was down a 93 points to 1,602.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 index shed
52.71 to 1,039.83. As expected, airline stocks plummeted, sending sending the
Dow transportation average down about 12 percent. Overall, declines led advances
by about a 6-to-1 margin on both major exchanges, according to CNNfn. 1530 GMT
091701
Reuters reported
that Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has deployed a force of between 20,000 and
25,000 troops on its border with Pakistan, near the Khyber Pass, citing
Pakistani army sources. Pakistan has also reinforced its troops along its 870
mile border with Afghanistan. 1425 GMT 091701
The US embassy in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has requested permission from
Washington to allow all non-essential staff and their dependents to leave the
country, Reuters reported. 1430 GMT 091701
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