Bush- All nations should join U.S. battle against terrorism

UNITED NATIONS -- President Bush, in a warning to world leaders, said Saturday all nations are possible targets of terrorism and must join with the United States in a campaign to prevent more attacks. "Each of us must answer for what we have done or what we have left undone," he said.

In his first appearance before the General Assembly, Bush outlined specific tasks for member nations: crack down on financing for terrorists, deny them sanctuary, close their camps and seize the operators. "These obligations are urgent and they are binding on every nation with a place in this chamber," Bush said.

"Every nation has a stake in this cause," Bush said. "As we meet, the terrorists are planning more murder, perhaps in my country -- or perhaps in yours." He warned that Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network would use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as soon as they could. "No hint of conscience would prevent it," Bush said.

He spoke before a gathering of 40 world leaders and 100 foreign ministers a few miles from the site of the World Trade Center suicide attacks on Sept. 11. A long round of applause filled the cavernous hall at the conclusion of his remarks.

Coalition building

Bush came to the world body in a bid to strengthen his fragile anti-terrorism coalition. A gathering number of foreign leaders has expressed concern in recent days about the U.S.-led military action against bin Laden, his network and the Taliban regime.

Following a meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf later Saturday, Bush announced he wants northern alliance forces battling the Tablian to steer clear of the capital city of Kabul, part of an effort to assure that power is eventually shared among the various tribes of the country.

"We will encourage our friends to head south ... but not into the city of Kabul itself," Bush said at a news conference one day after northern alliance forces claimed the strategic city of Mazar-e-sharif about 200 miles from the Afghan capital.