U.S. is pleased with backing of Muslim countries

Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) -- As threats escalate from Osama bin Laden's entourage, the Bush administration says it is pleased with responses from leaders of Muslim and Arab countries to the U.S.-led bombardment of targets in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday that despite anti-American protests in some countries, Arab nations have been very supportive, citing positive statements from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Still, solid evidence of unqualified support from the countries is scant.

"They all have internal domestic situations that they have to keep very much in mind and we're very satisfied with the level of support we've received from our friends, not only in the Persian Gulf area but throughout that part of the world," Powell said on CBS' "The Early Show."

He added on CNN that the recognition that terrorism is a worldwide problem has been "useful in pulling the whole world together."

Powell said he was not concerned about the anti-American protests that have erupted because "the overwhelming response has been positive."

"Those demonstrations don't reflect the entire populations," he said on NBC's "Today" show.

He said Powell received numerous expressions of support during telephone conversations with Arab and Muslim leaders Sunday as the attacks began against the terrorist infrastructure and key installations of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia.

President Bush ordered the campaign largely to retaliate for the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States, which the Bush administration blames on bin Laden and his Afghanistan-based al-Qaida terror network.

In a videotape released Tuesday through Qatar's al-Jazeera television station, al-Qaida promised more to come unless the United States abandons Israel, takes its soldiers out of Saudi Arabia and ends international sanctions against Iraq.

Powell responded on NBC: "Those are chilling words from a terrorist. ... It is a chilling challenge but I assure you we will meet that challenge."

For its part, the United States has pledged to root out terrorism wherever it may exist through a variety of means, including the military. For the time being, the administration is focusing on Afghanistan, home to bin Laden and his organization.

Afghanistan is a non-Arab Muslim country, and Arab leaders are warning that the United States will court trouble if it uses force against Arabs.

The secretary-general of the 22-member Arab League, Amr Moussa, warned this week that "any military strike on any Arab country will lead to serious consequences and will be considered an aggression against Arab states." Moussa is a former Egyptian foreign minister.

Powell plans visits to Pakistan and India, leaving Washington this weekend. He has welcomed the support both countries have offered.

A State Department statement issued Tuesday night said Powell will discuss with the two countries their "overall efforts in support of the coalition against terrorism and to further that cooperation in order to continue in order to continue this process over the long haul as well."

------On the Net:

State on Afghanistan: http://www.state.gov/p/sa/ci/af/

State on building coalition: http://www.state.gov/s/ct/index.cfm?id4291