From This Is London the online verson of The London Evening Standard 'US called off first attacks' by Jeremy Campbell in Washington The United States and Britain yesterday called off military strikes against terrorist targets in Afghanistan at the last minute. Washington officials say today that a severe attack of last-minute cold feet by some key Arab members of the coalition caused President Bush to postpone the operation. The waverers are Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Oman, and US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is embarking on an urgent mission today to strengthen nerves in these countries. Prime Minister Tony Blair is also about to undertake a hasty visit to the region. Saudi Arabia's support is especially vital, because Allied aircraft and commanders need its base facilities. Two senior US officials have told reporters that until yesterday the Saudis were firm in their offer to provide assistance for strikes, including use of a state-of-the-art command centre at the Prince Royal Sultan Air Force Base. Then the situation changed. One US official told Knight Newspapers: "That is no longer true. We fear there is something deeper here." Mr Rumsfeld's trip to the Middle East is intended to mend these unexpected ruptures. Click here for full story.
