Coalition report notes threats could prompt military action

LONDON -- The international coalition against terrorism will take military action "if absolutely necessary" to forestall future attacks, according to a document issued by Prime Minister Tony Blair's office.

The 35-page document, produced by the inter-governmental Coalition Information Center, was issued six months to the day after the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States.

It outlines the coalition's progress in the campaign against Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network and says the participating nations are "cooperating closely to forestall future attacks from international terrorism."

"The war has just begun," it said. "There will be many tough fights ahead, but the coalition remains steadfast in its objectives to defeat international terrorism and protect the lives of its people."

"There are many countries where adoption of terrorist methods or the presence of terrorist or extremist networks causes us grave concern," the report said, without naming any countries. "We will take action we deem necessary in support of this aim, including military action, if absolutely necessary." It also said some countries were "working to constrain those groups and regimes believed to be seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction," but did not identify the countries.

Blair met Monday with visiting Vice President Dick Cheney, and both hinted that military action against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was on the table. Cheney said there is evidence his government possesses and is continuing to develop weapons of mass destruction, and Blair said the threat "will have to be addressed."

The coalition report provides a country-by-country rundown of military participation, police activities and diplomatic, financial and legislative efforts. It also outlines member nations' assistance to Afghanistan.

The center said that while the report does not list all actions taken by the coalition, it "goes some way to show how countries of the world are uniting to defeat international terrorism."

The report said 17 nations have deployed more than 16,500 troops to the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, which includes the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa, including Somalia.