Notes about the USA's War on Terror

created Sunday, 2005 July 3
updated Sunday, 2005 July 3

1 What is this?

Inspired by an idea I had this morning, here is an experimental network of notes that try to help understand 2001 September 11 & Iraq. The attempt wasn't very successful, & I don't think I'll do any more work on it.

A better source of informaton, far better than the experiment I have done here, is Paul Thompson's website, Complete 911 Timeline, at Center for Cooperative Research. [7] In fact, that website blows away anything I would ever do here, & I'm also kind of stoked that the Center for Cooperative Research use the same terms I did (events & entities). It suggests I was on the right track, but the effort involved was more¹ than I guessed.

Anyway, go read that stuff at the Center for Cooperative Research.

2 Some Conclusions

2002 Oct: A Senate Intelligence Committee investigation says ``Most of the major key judgments in the Intelligence Community's October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), Iraq's Continuing Programs for Weapons of Mass Destruction, either overstated, or were not supported by, the underlying intelligence reporting.'' here, here

3 All Events

2001-09-11: Hijacked jetliners hit the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington. A fourth hijacked plane crashes into a field in Pennsylvania. Trading on Wall Street is stopped. The Federal Aviation Administration halts all flight operations at the nation's airports for the first time in U.S. history. U.S. military is placed on high alert. President Bush addresses the nation and vows to ``find those responsible and bring them to justice.'' Hundreds of New York City firemen and policemen sent to rescue WTC workers are lost when the WTC Twin Towers collapse. Reaction from international leaders is swift as world leaders react with outrage over the attacks. [1]
2001-09-12: New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani warns death toll will be in the thousands at the trade center. Firefighters continue to douse flames in New York and Washington. Bush labels attacks ``acts of war'' and asks Congress to devote 20 billion USD to help rebuild and recover. [1]
2001-09-13: Fighting back tears, Bush vows that America will ``lead the world to victory'' over terrorism in a struggle he termed the first war of the 21st century. Secretary of State Colin Powell identifies Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect. The United States will respond with a sustained military campaign, not a single strike, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says. Air travel resumes. [1]
2001-09-14: Bush declares national emergency and gives military authority to call 50,000 reservists to active duty. Justice Department releases names of the 19 hijackers. Afghanistan's Taliban militia warns of ``revenge'' if United States attacks it for harboring bin Laden. Bush leads four former presidents and nation in prayer at National Cathedral and visits trade center. [1]
2001-09-15: President Bush says U.S. troops will hunt down terrorists in a long, unrelenting war; cites desire by American people not only for revenge, but to end ``barbaric behavior.'' The State Department warns governments will be isolated if they tolerate or assist terrorist groups. Pakistan agrees to the full list of U.S. demands for a possible attack on neighboring Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-16: President Bush pledges ``crusade'' to ``rid the world of evil-doers'', brushes off reported Osama bin Laden denial. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warns that those who harbor terrorists face ``the full wrath of the United States.'' Pakistani official says senior delegation sent to Afghanistan to deliver U.S. message: hand over Osama bin Laden or risk massive assault. [1]
2001-09-17: The supreme leader of Afghanistan's hardline Taliban says a grand council of Islamic clerics will decide whether to hand over bin Laden. The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate to try to keep the economy from plunging into a recession. Investors send stocks reeling on Wall Street's first day of trading since the attacks. The list of people FBI wants detained in the United States and abroad grows to nearly 200. [1]
2001-09-18: Taliban leaders call on Muslims to wage holy war on America if it attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says administration preparing sustained offensive against terrorists and countries that support them. Bush leads nation in moment of silence. Authorities say federal grand jury in New York has opened investigation. [1]
2001-09-19: Pentagon orders combat aircraft to bases in Persian Gulf. Bush continues push to enlist global support in the battle against terrorism, meeting with the Indonesian president and calling leaders of South Africa and South Korea; foreign ministers of Russia and Germany meet with Powell. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seeks to reassure his country the war against terrorism does not target Islam or people of Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans flee toward borders. [1]
2001-09-20: In national address, Bush announces creation of a Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security and names Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to coordinate efforts to prevent terrorism. Bush directs U.S. military forces to ``be ready'' for the gathering battle: ``The hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud.'' Islamic clerics urge bin Laden to voluntarily leave Afghanistan. Pentagon announces that 5,131 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve ordered to active duty. Go to President Bush's address to Congress. [1]
2001-09-21: Taliban rulers refuse to hand over bin Laden and warn that any U.S. attacks could plunge region into crisis. Taliban troops take up positions in the jagged mountain peaks on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. Thousands demonstrate in Pakistan's major cities. Pentagon commits more aircraft to the Persian Gulf. German authorities say they believe a terrorist group based there began planning the U.S. attacks as far back as 1999. [1]
2001-09-22: The Taliban say they shot down unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan. United Arab Emirates cuts diplomatic relations with Taliban for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden. President Bush meets with advisers at Camp David, Md., as Pentagon orders ships and planes to Middle East. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]
2001-09-24: President Bush signs an order freezing the assets of 27 people and organizations, calling it a strike at financial foundation of terrorists. He demands foreign banks follow the U.S. lead. Osama bin Laden calls on Pakistan's Muslims to fight ``the American crusade.`` The ruling Taliban say they are dispatching 300,000 fighters to defend Afghanistan's borders. The United Nations says the Taliban threaten to kill U.N. relief workers in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-25: The United States and six of the world's richest nations agree to produce coordinated plan to freeze the assets of all terrorist organizations. Saudi Arabia cuts ties with the Taliban government. Osama bin Laden's organization makes a fresh call to arms, saying ``wherever there are Americans and Jews, they will be targeted''. The Pentagon calls nearly 2,000 more reservists to active duty, bringing to 14,318 the number of Reserve and National Guard members called so far. [1]
2001-09-26: U.S. and Pakistani officials end two days of talks in Islamabad, with Pakistani leader saying nations agree on military preparations for combating bin Laden's terrorist network in Afghanistan. Thousands storm abandoned U.S. Embassy compound in Afghan capital of Kabul. United Nations agency says assault on Afghanistan could send up to 1.5 million refugees into Pakistan and other neighboring countries. [1]
2001-09-27: Taliban acknowledge they can communicate with bin Laden, saying they have given him a week-old message from clerics that he leave the country voluntarily. Bush announces plan to bolster airline security, including expanded use of federal marshals on airliners. At Bush's urging, governors around the nation plan to use the National Guard troops for airport security. [1]
2001-09-28: Bush says United States ``in hot pursuit'' of terrorists. Administration official says U.S. special forces have conducted scouting missions in Afghanistan. Pakistani delegation fails to persuade leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to surrender terrorist suspect bin Laden. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approves a U.S.-sponsored resolution demanding all nations take sweeping action against terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft says authorities have arrested or detained more than 480 people. [1]
2001-09-29: In national radio address, Bush says nation's defense against more attacks will be to ``aggressively and methodically'' disrupt and destroy terrorism. Thousands rally in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Barcelona, Spain to discourage armed retaliation. Anti-war protests draw hundreds in Austin, Texas, and Athens, Greece. The United Nations resumes food shipments to prevent starvation in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-30: The Taliban say explicitly for the first time that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan and is being kept in a secret location. Pakistani president says even under threat of U.S. military strikes, hopes ``very dim'' bin Laden would be surrendered. Afghanistan opposition says territory gained and hundreds of Taliban soldiers defected during three days of fighting in northern mountains. Foreign aid workers in Iran stockpile emergency rations for possible waves of Afghan refugees. [1]
2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]
2005-01-30: Iraq holds elections [2]

4 Afghanistan

2001-09-14: Bush declares national emergency and gives military authority to call 50,000 reservists to active duty. Justice Department releases names of the 19 hijackers. Afghanistan's Taliban militia warns of ``revenge'' if United States attacks it for harboring bin Laden. Bush leads four former presidents and nation in prayer at National Cathedral and visits trade center. [1]
2001-09-15: President Bush says U.S. troops will hunt down terrorists in a long, unrelenting war; cites desire by American people not only for revenge, but to end ``barbaric behavior.'' The State Department warns governments will be isolated if they tolerate or assist terrorist groups. Pakistan agrees to the full list of U.S. demands for a possible attack on neighboring Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-16: President Bush pledges ``crusade'' to ``rid the world of evil-doers'', brushes off reported Osama bin Laden denial. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warns that those who harbor terrorists face ``the full wrath of the United States.'' Pakistani official says senior delegation sent to Afghanistan to deliver U.S. message: hand over Osama bin Laden or risk massive assault. [1]
2001-09-17: The supreme leader of Afghanistan's hardline Taliban says a grand council of Islamic clerics will decide whether to hand over bin Laden. The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate to try to keep the economy from plunging into a recession. Investors send stocks reeling on Wall Street's first day of trading since the attacks. The list of people FBI wants detained in the United States and abroad grows to nearly 200. [1]
2001-09-19: Pentagon orders combat aircraft to bases in Persian Gulf. Bush continues push to enlist global support in the battle against terrorism, meeting with the Indonesian president and calling leaders of South Africa and South Korea; foreign ministers of Russia and Germany meet with Powell. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seeks to reassure his country the war against terrorism does not target Islam or people of Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans flee toward borders. [1]
2001-09-20: In national address, Bush announces creation of a Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security and names Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to coordinate efforts to prevent terrorism. Bush directs U.S. military forces to ``be ready'' for the gathering battle: ``The hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud.'' Islamic clerics urge bin Laden to voluntarily leave Afghanistan. Pentagon announces that 5,131 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve ordered to active duty. Go to President Bush's address to Congress. [1]
2001-09-21: Taliban rulers refuse to hand over bin Laden and warn that any U.S. attacks could plunge region into crisis. Taliban troops take up positions in the jagged mountain peaks on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. Thousands demonstrate in Pakistan's major cities. Pentagon commits more aircraft to the Persian Gulf. German authorities say they believe a terrorist group based there began planning the U.S. attacks as far back as 1999. [1]
2001-09-22: The Taliban say they shot down unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan. United Arab Emirates cuts diplomatic relations with Taliban for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden. President Bush meets with advisers at Camp David, Md., as Pentagon orders ships and planes to Middle East. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]
2001-09-24: President Bush signs an order freezing the assets of 27 people and organizations, calling it a strike at financial foundation of terrorists. He demands foreign banks follow the U.S. lead. Osama bin Laden calls on Pakistan's Muslims to fight ``the American crusade.`` The ruling Taliban say they are dispatching 300,000 fighters to defend Afghanistan's borders. The United Nations says the Taliban threaten to kill U.N. relief workers in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-26: U.S. and Pakistani officials end two days of talks in Islamabad, with Pakistani leader saying nations agree on military preparations for combating bin Laden's terrorist network in Afghanistan. Thousands storm abandoned U.S. Embassy compound in Afghan capital of Kabul. United Nations agency says assault on Afghanistan could send up to 1.5 million refugees into Pakistan and other neighboring countries. [1]
2001-09-28: Bush says United States ``in hot pursuit'' of terrorists. Administration official says U.S. special forces have conducted scouting missions in Afghanistan. Pakistani delegation fails to persuade leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to surrender terrorist suspect bin Laden. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approves a U.S.-sponsored resolution demanding all nations take sweeping action against terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft says authorities have arrested or detained more than 480 people. [1]
2001-09-29: In national radio address, Bush says nation's defense against more attacks will be to ``aggressively and methodically'' disrupt and destroy terrorism. Thousands rally in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Barcelona, Spain to discourage armed retaliation. Anti-war protests draw hundreds in Austin, Texas, and Athens, Greece. The United Nations resumes food shipments to prevent starvation in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-30: The Taliban say explicitly for the first time that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan and is being kept in a secret location. Pakistani president says even under threat of U.S. military strikes, hopes ``very dim'' bin Laden would be surrendered. Afghanistan opposition says territory gained and hundreds of Taliban soldiers defected during three days of fighting in northern mountains. Foreign aid workers in Iran stockpile emergency rations for possible waves of Afghan refugees. [1]
2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]

5 Colin Powell

2001-09-13: Fighting back tears, Bush vows that America will ``lead the world to victory'' over terrorism in a struggle he termed the first war of the 21st century. Secretary of State Colin Powell identifies Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect. The United States will respond with a sustained military campaign, not a single strike, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says. Air travel resumes. [1]
2001-09-19: Pentagon orders combat aircraft to bases in Persian Gulf. Bush continues push to enlist global support in the battle against terrorism, meeting with the Indonesian president and calling leaders of South Africa and South Korea; foreign ministers of Russia and Germany meet with Powell. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seeks to reassure his country the war against terrorism does not target Islam or people of Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans flee toward borders. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]

6 George W. Bush

2001-09-11: Hijacked jetliners hit the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington. A fourth hijacked plane crashes into a field in Pennsylvania. Trading on Wall Street is stopped. The Federal Aviation Administration halts all flight operations at the nation's airports for the first time in U.S. history. U.S. military is placed on high alert. President Bush addresses the nation and vows to ``find those responsible and bring them to justice.'' Hundreds of New York City firemen and policemen sent to rescue WTC workers are lost when the WTC Twin Towers collapse. Reaction from international leaders is swift as world leaders react with outrage over the attacks. [1]
2001-09-12: New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani warns death toll will be in the thousands at the trade center. Firefighters continue to douse flames in New York and Washington. Bush labels attacks ``acts of war'' and asks Congress to devote 20 billion USD to help rebuild and recover. [1]
2001-09-13: Fighting back tears, Bush vows that America will ``lead the world to victory'' over terrorism in a struggle he termed the first war of the 21st century. Secretary of State Colin Powell identifies Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect. The United States will respond with a sustained military campaign, not a single strike, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says. Air travel resumes. [1]
2001-09-14: Bush declares national emergency and gives military authority to call 50,000 reservists to active duty. Justice Department releases names of the 19 hijackers. Afghanistan's Taliban militia warns of ``revenge'' if United States attacks it for harboring bin Laden. Bush leads four former presidents and nation in prayer at National Cathedral and visits trade center. [1]
2001-09-15: President Bush says U.S. troops will hunt down terrorists in a long, unrelenting war; cites desire by American people not only for revenge, but to end ``barbaric behavior.'' The State Department warns governments will be isolated if they tolerate or assist terrorist groups. Pakistan agrees to the full list of U.S. demands for a possible attack on neighboring Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-16: President Bush pledges ``crusade'' to ``rid the world of evil-doers'', brushes off reported Osama bin Laden denial. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warns that those who harbor terrorists face ``the full wrath of the United States.'' Pakistani official says senior delegation sent to Afghanistan to deliver U.S. message: hand over Osama bin Laden or risk massive assault. [1]
2001-09-18: Taliban leaders call on Muslims to wage holy war on America if it attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says administration preparing sustained offensive against terrorists and countries that support them. Bush leads nation in moment of silence. Authorities say federal grand jury in New York has opened investigation. [1]
2001-09-19: Pentagon orders combat aircraft to bases in Persian Gulf. Bush continues push to enlist global support in the battle against terrorism, meeting with the Indonesian president and calling leaders of South Africa and South Korea; foreign ministers of Russia and Germany meet with Powell. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seeks to reassure his country the war against terrorism does not target Islam or people of Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans flee toward borders. [1]
2001-09-20: In national address, Bush announces creation of a Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security and names Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to coordinate efforts to prevent terrorism. Bush directs U.S. military forces to ``be ready'' for the gathering battle: ``The hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud.'' Islamic clerics urge bin Laden to voluntarily leave Afghanistan. Pentagon announces that 5,131 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve ordered to active duty. Go to President Bush's address to Congress. [1]
2001-09-22: The Taliban say they shot down unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan. United Arab Emirates cuts diplomatic relations with Taliban for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden. President Bush meets with advisers at Camp David, Md., as Pentagon orders ships and planes to Middle East. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]
2001-09-24: President Bush signs an order freezing the assets of 27 people and organizations, calling it a strike at financial foundation of terrorists. He demands foreign banks follow the U.S. lead. Osama bin Laden calls on Pakistan's Muslims to fight ``the American crusade.`` The ruling Taliban say they are dispatching 300,000 fighters to defend Afghanistan's borders. The United Nations says the Taliban threaten to kill U.N. relief workers in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-27: Taliban acknowledge they can communicate with bin Laden, saying they have given him a week-old message from clerics that he leave the country voluntarily. Bush announces plan to bolster airline security, including expanded use of federal marshals on airliners. At Bush's urging, governors around the nation plan to use the National Guard troops for airport security. [1]
2001-09-28: Bush says United States ``in hot pursuit'' of terrorists. Administration official says U.S. special forces have conducted scouting missions in Afghanistan. Pakistani delegation fails to persuade leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to surrender terrorist suspect bin Laden. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approves a U.S.-sponsored resolution demanding all nations take sweeping action against terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft says authorities have arrested or detained more than 480 people. [1]
2001-09-29: In national radio address, Bush says nation's defense against more attacks will be to ``aggressively and methodically'' disrupt and destroy terrorism. Thousands rally in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Barcelona, Spain to discourage armed retaliation. Anti-war protests draw hundreds in Austin, Texas, and Athens, Greece. The United Nations resumes food shipments to prevent starvation in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]

7 Iraq

2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]
2005-01-30: Iraq holds elections [2]

8 Osama Bin Laden

2001-09-13: Fighting back tears, Bush vows that America will ``lead the world to victory'' over terrorism in a struggle he termed the first war of the 21st century. Secretary of State Colin Powell identifies Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect. The United States will respond with a sustained military campaign, not a single strike, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says. Air travel resumes. [1]
2001-09-14: Bush declares national emergency and gives military authority to call 50,000 reservists to active duty. Justice Department releases names of the 19 hijackers. Afghanistan's Taliban militia warns of ``revenge'' if United States attacks it for harboring bin Laden. Bush leads four former presidents and nation in prayer at National Cathedral and visits trade center. [1]
2001-09-16: President Bush pledges ``crusade'' to ``rid the world of evil-doers'', brushes off reported Osama bin Laden denial. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warns that those who harbor terrorists face ``the full wrath of the United States.'' Pakistani official says senior delegation sent to Afghanistan to deliver U.S. message: hand over Osama bin Laden or risk massive assault. [1]
2001-09-17: The supreme leader of Afghanistan's hardline Taliban says a grand council of Islamic clerics will decide whether to hand over bin Laden. The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate to try to keep the economy from plunging into a recession. Investors send stocks reeling on Wall Street's first day of trading since the attacks. The list of people FBI wants detained in the United States and abroad grows to nearly 200. [1]
2001-09-20: In national address, Bush announces creation of a Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security and names Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to coordinate efforts to prevent terrorism. Bush directs U.S. military forces to ``be ready'' for the gathering battle: ``The hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud.'' Islamic clerics urge bin Laden to voluntarily leave Afghanistan. Pentagon announces that 5,131 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve ordered to active duty. Go to President Bush's address to Congress. [1]
2001-09-21: Taliban rulers refuse to hand over bin Laden and warn that any U.S. attacks could plunge region into crisis. Taliban troops take up positions in the jagged mountain peaks on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. Thousands demonstrate in Pakistan's major cities. Pentagon commits more aircraft to the Persian Gulf. German authorities say they believe a terrorist group based there began planning the U.S. attacks as far back as 1999. [1]
2001-09-22: The Taliban say they shot down unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan. United Arab Emirates cuts diplomatic relations with Taliban for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden. President Bush meets with advisers at Camp David, Md., as Pentagon orders ships and planes to Middle East. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]
2001-09-24: President Bush signs an order freezing the assets of 27 people and organizations, calling it a strike at financial foundation of terrorists. He demands foreign banks follow the U.S. lead. Osama bin Laden calls on Pakistan's Muslims to fight ``the American crusade.`` The ruling Taliban say they are dispatching 300,000 fighters to defend Afghanistan's borders. The United Nations says the Taliban threaten to kill U.N. relief workers in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-25: The United States and six of the world's richest nations agree to produce coordinated plan to freeze the assets of all terrorist organizations. Saudi Arabia cuts ties with the Taliban government. Osama bin Laden's organization makes a fresh call to arms, saying ``wherever there are Americans and Jews, they will be targeted''. The Pentagon calls nearly 2,000 more reservists to active duty, bringing to 14,318 the number of Reserve and National Guard members called so far. [1]
2001-09-26: U.S. and Pakistani officials end two days of talks in Islamabad, with Pakistani leader saying nations agree on military preparations for combating bin Laden's terrorist network in Afghanistan. Thousands storm abandoned U.S. Embassy compound in Afghan capital of Kabul. United Nations agency says assault on Afghanistan could send up to 1.5 million refugees into Pakistan and other neighboring countries. [1]
2001-09-27: Taliban acknowledge they can communicate with bin Laden, saying they have given him a week-old message from clerics that he leave the country voluntarily. Bush announces plan to bolster airline security, including expanded use of federal marshals on airliners. At Bush's urging, governors around the nation plan to use the National Guard troops for airport security. [1]
2001-09-28: Bush says United States ``in hot pursuit'' of terrorists. Administration official says U.S. special forces have conducted scouting missions in Afghanistan. Pakistani delegation fails to persuade leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to surrender terrorist suspect bin Laden. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approves a U.S.-sponsored resolution demanding all nations take sweeping action against terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft says authorities have arrested or detained more than 480 people. [1]
2001-09-30: The Taliban say explicitly for the first time that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan and is being kept in a secret location. Pakistani president says even under threat of U.S. military strikes, hopes ``very dim'' bin Laden would be surrendered. Afghanistan opposition says territory gained and hundreds of Taliban soldiers defected during three days of fighting in northern mountains. Foreign aid workers in Iran stockpile emergency rations for possible waves of Afghan refugees. [1]

9 Sadam Hussein

2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]

10 Taliban

2001-09-14: Bush declares national emergency and gives military authority to call 50,000 reservists to active duty. Justice Department releases names of the 19 hijackers. Afghanistan's Taliban militia warns of ``revenge'' if United States attacks it for harboring bin Laden. Bush leads four former presidents and nation in prayer at National Cathedral and visits trade center. [1]
2001-09-17: The supreme leader of Afghanistan's hardline Taliban says a grand council of Islamic clerics will decide whether to hand over bin Laden. The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate to try to keep the economy from plunging into a recession. Investors send stocks reeling on Wall Street's first day of trading since the attacks. The list of people FBI wants detained in the United States and abroad grows to nearly 200. [1]
2001-09-18: Taliban leaders call on Muslims to wage holy war on America if it attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says administration preparing sustained offensive against terrorists and countries that support them. Bush leads nation in moment of silence. Authorities say federal grand jury in New York has opened investigation. [1]
2001-09-21: Taliban rulers refuse to hand over bin Laden and warn that any U.S. attacks could plunge region into crisis. Taliban troops take up positions in the jagged mountain peaks on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. Thousands demonstrate in Pakistan's major cities. Pentagon commits more aircraft to the Persian Gulf. German authorities say they believe a terrorist group based there began planning the U.S. attacks as far back as 1999. [1]
2001-09-22: The Taliban say they shot down unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan. United Arab Emirates cuts diplomatic relations with Taliban for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden. President Bush meets with advisers at Camp David, Md., as Pentagon orders ships and planes to Middle East. [1]
2001-09-23: Secretary of State Colin Powell promises to lay out evidence against Osama bin Laden. Donald Rumsfeld confirms the United States lost contact with an unmanned spy plane over Afghanistan. Taliban leadership says it can't find bin Laden to advise him to leave the country. U.S. officials dismiss the claim. President Bush returns the American flag to full staff at Camp David, symbolically ending the period of national mourning. [1]
2001-09-24: President Bush signs an order freezing the assets of 27 people and organizations, calling it a strike at financial foundation of terrorists. He demands foreign banks follow the U.S. lead. Osama bin Laden calls on Pakistan's Muslims to fight ``the American crusade.`` The ruling Taliban say they are dispatching 300,000 fighters to defend Afghanistan's borders. The United Nations says the Taliban threaten to kill U.N. relief workers in Afghanistan. [1]
2001-09-25: The United States and six of the world's richest nations agree to produce coordinated plan to freeze the assets of all terrorist organizations. Saudi Arabia cuts ties with the Taliban government. Osama bin Laden's organization makes a fresh call to arms, saying ``wherever there are Americans and Jews, they will be targeted''. The Pentagon calls nearly 2,000 more reservists to active duty, bringing to 14,318 the number of Reserve and National Guard members called so far. [1]
2001-09-27: Taliban acknowledge they can communicate with bin Laden, saying they have given him a week-old message from clerics that he leave the country voluntarily. Bush announces plan to bolster airline security, including expanded use of federal marshals on airliners. At Bush's urging, governors around the nation plan to use the National Guard troops for airport security. [1]
2001-09-28: Bush says United States ``in hot pursuit'' of terrorists. Administration official says U.S. special forces have conducted scouting missions in Afghanistan. Pakistani delegation fails to persuade leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to surrender terrorist suspect bin Laden. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approves a U.S.-sponsored resolution demanding all nations take sweeping action against terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft says authorities have arrested or detained more than 480 people. [1]
2001-09-30: The Taliban say explicitly for the first time that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan and is being kept in a secret location. Pakistani president says even under threat of U.S. military strikes, hopes ``very dim'' bin Laden would be surrendered. Afghanistan opposition says territory gained and hundreds of Taliban soldiers defected during three days of fighting in northern mountains. Foreign aid workers in Iran stockpile emergency rations for possible waves of Afghan refugees. [1]
2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]

11 weapons of mass destruction

2001-11-25: Foreign Taliban prisoners overpower their Northern Alliance guards at a prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed hundreds and was put down only after U.S. air and ground forces were called in. An Alliance spokesman said the prisoners ``were all killed and very few were arrested.'' Washington officials confirm that a CIA official was wounded in the jailbreak attempt. The Northern Alliance claim to have seized control of Konduz, the Taliban's last stronghold in northern Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. marines land by helicopter near the southern city of Kandahar, and are reportedly to be followed by hundreds more from navy ships in the Arabian Sea. In an interview President Bush talked about steps beyond Afghanistan and singled out Iraq's Sadam Hussein. Bush said ``Sadam is evil. I think he's got weapons of mass destruction, and I think he needs to open up his country to let us inspect.'' Bush also cited Syria as a state that needed to ``take a hard look at some of the groups in their country.'' Bonn Germany prepares for UN-sponsored talks with Western diplomats and key Afghani leaders on the make up of the post war Afghanistan government. Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Afghan president and leader of the Northern Alliance, suggested there may be a place for the Taliban in the future Afghan government. [1]

A. Other File Formats

This document is available in multi-file HTML format at http://lisp-p.org/wte/.
This document is available in Pointless Document Format (PDF) at http://lisp-p.org/wte/wte.pdf.

I write almost all of my documents in L^ATEX ([6], [4]). I compile to PDF with latex, dvips, & ps2pdf. I compile to HTML with latex2html ([3], [5]).

B. Lisp source code

Here is the source code for my experiment.

;;;
;;; $Header: /home/gene/library/website/docsrc/wte/RCS/wte.tex,v 395.1 2008/04/20 17:25:48 gene Exp $
;;;
;;; Copyright (c) 2005 Gene Michael Stover.  All rights reserved.
;;;

(defstruct event time strings references)

(defun event-text (event)
  "Return all the strings as a single big string."
  (with-output-to-string (strm)
    (dolist (string (event-strings event))
      (format strm "~A~%" string))))

(defun print-timeline (events strm)
  (unless (zerop (length events))
    (format strm "~%~%\\begin{description}")
    (dolist (event events)
      (format strm "~%~%\\item[~A] ~A" (event-time event) (event-text event))
      (dolist (reference (event-references event))
	(case (car reference)
	  (cite (format strm " \\cite{~A}" (cdr reference)))
	  (href (format strm " <a href=\"~A\">~A</a>" (cdr reference)
			(cdr reference)))
	  (otherwise (format strm "~A" (cdr reference))))))
    (format strm "~%\\end{description}")))

(defun load-events (pathname)
  (sort
   (with-open-file (strm pathname :direction :input)
     (loop for x = (read strm nil strm)
	   until (eq x strm)
	   collect x))
   #'string-lessp
   :key #'event-time))

(defstruct entity names)

(defun entity-name (entity)
  "Return the primary name of the entity."
  (first (entity-names entity)))

(defun entity-label (entity)
  "Return a LaTeX label for the entity"
  (remove #\. (substitute #\- #\Space (entity-name entity))))

(defun event-and-entity-p (event entity)
  "True if & only if the event refers to the entity"
  (find-if #'(lambda (pattern) (search pattern (event-text event)
				       :test #'char-equal))
	   (entity-names entity)))

(defun find-all-if (predicate list)
  (delete nil (mapcar #'(lambda (x) (and (funcall predicate x) x)) list)))

(defun all-events-for-entity (entity events)
  (find-all-if #'(lambda (event) (event-and-entity-p event entity))
	       events))

(defun print-entity (entity strm)
  (format strm "~%~%\\section{~A}" (entity-name entity))
  (format strm "~%\\label{~A}" (entity-label entity))
  (print-timeline (all-events-for-entity entity (load-events "events.lisp"))
		  strm))

(defun load-entities (pathname)
  (sort
   (with-open-file (strm pathname :direction :input)
     (loop for x = (read strm nil strm)
	   until (eq x strm)
	   collect x))
   #'string-lessp
   :key #'entity-name))

(defun report ()
  (with-open-file (strm "computer-generated.tex" :element-type 'character
			:direction :output :if-exists :supersede)
    (format strm "~%\\section{All Events}")
    (print-timeline (load-events "events.lisp") strm)
    (dolist (entity (load-entities "entities.lisp"))
      (print-entity entity strm))
    (truename strm)))

;;; --- end of file ---

Bibliography

1: September 11 news .com.
world wide web.
http://www.september11news.com/.
2: 2001 september 11 basic facts.
U.S. Department of State, August 2002.
http://www.state.gov/coalition/cr/fs/12701.htm.
3: Nikos Drakos.
latex2html.
4: Michel Goossens and Frank Mittelbach.
The L^ATEX Companion.
Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1993.
ISBN 0201541998.
5: Michel Goossens and Sebastian Rahtz.
The L^ATEX Web Companion: Integrating TEX, HTML, and XML.
Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1999.
ISBN 020143317.
6: Leslie Lamport.
L^ATEX: A Document Preparation System.
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1986.
ISBN 0-201-15790-X.
7: Paul Thompson.
Complete 911 timeline.
world wide web.
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/project.jsp?project=911%5Fproject.
8: Paul Thompson.
Was 9/11 allowed to happen.
world wide web.
http://www.wanttoknow.info/9-11cover-up10pg.

Gene Michael Stover 2008-04-20