WASHINGTON�With expressions of support from the world�s central banks, NATO, the United Nations, Congress and the guarantee of use of air space over foreign soil, President George Bush seems ready for a declaration of war in retaliation for the apparent Sept. 11 assault on America�s financial and military landmarks.

"This weekend I am engaged in extensive sessions with members on my National Security Council as we plan a comprehensive assault on terrorism," Mr. Bush told the nation during his weekly radio broadcast on Sept. 15.

Describing the conflict as different and the enemy as invisible, the president promised the culprits of the assault "will discover what others have learned: Those who make war against the United States have chosen their own destruction."

The likely target appears to be Afghanistan, which was visited by a Pakistani delegation at Final Call presstime, urging the turnover of Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, the top U.S. suspect in the hijacked planes that destroyed the World Trade Center, struck the Pentagon and crashed in Pennsylvania. Mr. Bush declared Mr. bin Laden was "wanted dead or alive."

Just two days after the attack, the Congress issued resolutions ratified in both the House and Senate authorizing the allocation of $40 billion. Half directed toward the Washington, D.C., and New York City rescue missions and the remainder dedicated to the mustering of "appropriate force" in retaliation to the hijacking of aircrafts that crashed into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a field in Somerset, Penn., killing thousands of people and injuring thousands more with nearly 5,000 persons yet unaccounted for between the tragedies. In addition, the world�s central banks and financial regulators were in constant contact with each other over the weekend, according to World Bank Development News Review, in order to keep last week�s human tragedy from becoming a financial and economic disaster.

The fear is that the tragedy will trigger a global recession. European Central Bank after communications with Secretary of State Colin Powell developed a joint strategy with the Federal Reserve Bank and regulator Alan Greenspan.

The NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchanges also opened their doors Sept. 17, for the first time since the attack in an attempt to quell economic panic.

Use of force resolution passed

The passing of "S.J. Resolution 23," to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks, some fear grants too broad authority and may throw the country into a war with no end. "That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided in the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons," the bill reads.

"The public officials are united. We are not Democrats or Republicans, we are united to try and defend our country and we will defend it," Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) told The Final Call in an exclusive interview. "But we face the threat of terrorism. These are despicable murderers. They are attacking civilians with the exception of the Pentagon. It is a despicable act on the part of the terrorists and we will see more of that, but we will do our best to defend our nation," he said.

The resolution passed unanimously in the Senate and in the House, with the lone objection of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). "The unspeakable attack on the United States has forced me to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction," began Ms. Lee, in expressing her opposition to the bill. "Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This resolution will pass, although we know that the president can wage war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, �let�s step back for a moment and think through the implications of our action today so that it does not spiral out of control.� "

In closing, she reminded lawmakers, "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore."

Rev. Jesse Jackson said growing U.S. political isolationism needs to end and the U.S. needs to engage nations, even nations it has differences with. The only way to resolves differences is to engage people and nations, he said. U.S. foreign policy has too often not lived up to the highest ideals of America, breeding suffering and resentment, the civil rights leader added.

Radio One host Joe Madison agreed. "What this country is getting ready to do is only going to compound the problem. There needs to be a realignment of relationships. The government needs to go into every Arab nation and begin to realign its relationship with them. Every nation has a laundry list of things that they want. The United States government needs to develop partnerships.

"Secondly, we will have to use every bit of intelligence we have around the world to determine who is responsible for this act and tell the truth about it," he said.

Mr. Madison told The Final Call that it may be discovered that these are persons who had working relationships with the United States government, former allies, trained in their military, or worked for their intelligence community.

"Then our government has to hold them accountable. The bottom line is that whoever is responsible for this committed a crime against humanity," he said.

"It is without question that U.S. imperialism has brought genocidal levels of death and destruction to people around the world," read a statement from the Black Radical Congress (BRC). "Whether one looks at the situation in Iraq with the continental blockade and air bombardments, the situation in Palestine where the U.S. continues to give virtually uncritical support to the Israelis in their national oppression of the Palestinians, the economic blockade against Cuba which aims to undermine its economy and weaken its population, or any number of other places, one clearly sees the callousness and evil intent with which U.S. imperialism treats the lives and property of others, especially non-white peoples around the globe," the group continued.

"Long range, this nation has to face the fact that we helped to create monstorus circumstances, monsters emerge from it. In the Middle East generally, Palestine, in particular, we have helped to create a monstorus situation�that now is producing monsters. We are culpable and we need to change. We have the power and we have the call to be brokers of a just peace," said Joseph Sprigg, resident bishop for the Chicago Area-Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Too often U.S. foreign policy is governed by economic priorities, not justice for people, which leads to resentment, he argued.

"While it is presumptuous for an embarrassed U.S. military to rush to judgment and initiate some retaliatory punitive strike against their target of choice," said Patrice Lumumba Coalition leader Elombe Brath.

"At some point they (the victims) will say �no more.� They in turn will devise their own methods to retaliate, steeled with a spiritual commitment, and use any means necessary to extract their vengeance," he said.

NAACP President Kweisi Mfume responded: "The massive loss to the family of humankind moves all people of conscience to mourn and pray for the dead. The hour is upon us to put aside differences and dissent. This is a tragedy of untold proportions and an attack against our way of life that has no equal. It is an act of evil that must not go unpunished."

"Well in a war footing, there are increased demands for factory and defense goods," observed Wayne Madsen, author of "Genocide and Covert Activities in Africa 1993-1999." "That would prop the economy," and at the same time help America payoff the agreements with her financiers, he said.

"We are shocked and dismayed. Muslims, please stay calm and remain in our good senses. We need prayers right now. People who do terrorist acts are not in their good Muslim behavior. We should ask ourselves: Would Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, kill innocent men, women and children? Even if a Muslim becomes a terrorist, his answer would be �No� to this question: Would Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) kill the innocent?" said Imam W. Deen Mohammed, of the Muslim American Society and a son of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad.

The president echoed calls for tolerance as targeting of Muslims and Arabs, and those thought to be from the Middle East happened inside the United States. The Council on American-Islamic Affairs reported the fatal shooting of a Sikh gas station owner in Mesa, Ariz. and the fatal shooting of a Pakistani Muslim storeowner in Dallas. CAIR said hundreds of incidents have occurred.

In Texas, a Muslim Masjid was firebombed the day after the New York attack. Some activists blame the anti-Muslim, anti-Arab sentiment spewed over the airwaves of America.

"Many of our nation�s leaders have already risen to the occasion by urging Americans to resist the temptation to hold entire communities responsible for the acts of individuals," said U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chairperson Mary Frances-Berry.

"Arab and Muslim persons are important and valuable members of American society. Just as we celebrate the diversity of so many of our people, we should also embrace the contribution their differences make to our rich national fabric," she said.

"There are over six million American Muslims in this country who are feeling the same pain and the same sense of loss that all their fellow Americans feel," said D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. "We must be careful not to assess responsibility to a larger community for the reckless and barbaric conduct of others," he said.

Although the nation�s capitol has been relieved of its state of emergency status, a high alert is still encouraged by all government agencies and local municipalities. Checkpoints can be found throughout the District as pedestrians and drivers alike are asked to display identification to confirm either their residency in the District or their employer. On Sept. 17, The World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund announced the cancellation of their Annual Meetings that were to be held at the end of the month. Organizers of protests against the meetings also canceled mass demonstrations that were to be held at the White House during the session.