Red Deer Advocate from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada • 2

Up Front A2, RED DEER ADVOCATE Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001 Troops dispatched in terrorist battle buildup Uzbekistan gives U.S. permission to use air base By Canadian Press Working to fortify its military presence in Central Asia, the United States dispatched a thousand troops to Uzbekistan Friday, as British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Islamabad to reassure Pakistanis that western military strikes will only target terrorists. Blair declared last months terrorist attacks in the United States a crime against humanity, adding that any military response would be proportionate, targeted and not directed against the Afghan people. The 11th of September was an facilities, in order to deploy a limited number of (U.S.) transport airplanes and helicopters, Karimov said.

Karimov quickly added, In Uzbekistan we are against the use of our territory for land operations against Afghanistan and we are against air strikes from the territory of Uzbekistan. Infantry soldiers skilled at search-and-rescue, humanitarian missions and helicopter assaults from the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., are the first U.S. grounds forces acknowledged by the Pentagon to be deployed in the region. The troops also would be on standby to aid any U.S. special operations troops that might encounter major trouble while conducting raids inside Afghanistan.

U.S. Defence Secretary Donald S. Rumsfelds three-hour stop in Tashkent was the fourth on a five- more comfortable and reassure them its safe to fly. Also Friday, President Bush urged Congress to pass an additional $60 billion in tax relief for individuals and businesses to help revive an economy staggered by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Bush said this amount of tax relief would be equal to the new spending Congress has approved to deal with the crisis. In order to stimulate the economy, Congress doesnt need to spend any more money, Bush said. What they need to do is cut taxes. U.S. and European officials are signalling major military action may not come anytime soon, even as U.S.

troops, planes and ships gather in the region. Taliban soldiers were reported Friday to be taking heavy weapons into the Afghan mountains to await an assault. outrage against the civilized values of all peoples of all faiths in the world, Blair said. This was not a crime against the West. It was a crime against humanity.

Flanked by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Blair thanked Pakistan for its stand, also noting that any punitive action would not be directed against the Islamic world. Pakistan has made the right choice, Blair said. Blairs reassurances came as Uzbek President Islam Karimov granted permission Friday for U.S. warplanes and troops to use an air base, giving the Pentagon a strategic foothold to root out terrorists in neighbouring Afghanistan. In exchange for its co-operation, Uzbekistan was seeking security guarantees.

We have offered one airfield in Uzbekistan, with all the surrounding country tour which began Wednesday in Saudi Arabia and Oman, two countries where thousands of U.S. forces are stationed. Rumsfeld flew to Ankara, Turkey later Friday. Meanwhile, on the home front, armed military police in camouflage began patrolling U.S. airports Friday, including Bostons Logan, where two planes were hijacked last month.

National Guard troops were also posted at Newark, N.J., where a third hijacked plane took off, and at other airports including Detroit, Min-neapolis-St. Paul, Louisville, and all 19 of Floridas commercial airports. Their role is to check the checkers, to make sure the system is working the way its supposed to, said Denny Shields, a Minnesota Guard spokesman. Our intent is to make people if afk Ty 'i v' Terrorist: Spy agency pleased Continued from Page A1 However, a judge, who is there to judiciously review a matter that was concluded more than a year before these incidents, has to have the stomach to separate the two events. Even CSIS itself has publicly acknowledged that no known link exists between Mahjoub and the U.S.

attacks, Galati added. Canadas spy agency delivered a typically muted reaction to the ruling. Were pleased with the decision, a CSIS official said on condition of anonymity. Egyptian authorities have believed for 15 years that Mahjoub is part of a bin Laden-financed organization called the Vanguards of Conquest, a radical faction of a group called A1 Jihad that has its roots in a violent campaign to overthrow the Egyptian government. Mahjoub told court in March that he was fleeing persecution in his homeland when he travelled to Saudi Arabia and later to the Sudan, where bin Laden offered him a job on a factory farm.

Mahjoub denied knowing that bin Laden was a notorious terrorist financier or that the people he was working with were members of bin Ladens militant Islamic faction, al-Qaida. That stretches the bounds of credibility coming from a man who is no doubt highly educated and of very strong character, Nadon said. With no work experience whatsoever, the respondent was apparently placed in charge of 4,000 people on a project involving (400,000 hectares) and 40 per cent of the bin Laden workforce. A1 Jihad began its major terrorist activity in the late 1970s, and was responsible for the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. CSIS believes it now works closely with al-Qaida.

Egypts most wanted militant, Ayman al-Zawahri, was among those sentenced to death in absentia for Sadats murder. He is now considered to be one of bin Ladens top aides. Mahjoub, who has been convicted in absentia of terrorist activities by an Egyptian military tribunal, almost certainly faces death upon his return, said Galati, whos awaiting word from the Supreme Court on whether he can appeal Mahjoubs case on constitutional grounds. Forums planned Many Central Alberta communities have already heard their candidates pitches. But a few election forums are set for the final week of the campaign before the Oct.

15 municipal election. Upcoming forums include: Blackfalds Candidates forum Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Community Hall, 4810 Womacks Road. Bowden Candidates forum Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lions Community Hall, 2012 19th Ave.

Innisfail Forum set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 5108 49th Ave. All candidates forum, plus regional health authority and wards four and five for Chinooks Edge School Division. Ponoka County Candidates for county divisions two and three, Wolf Creek School Division wards two and three and David Thompson Health Region electoral district 2. It takes place at Lake Pofianga, near Hwy.

2 and Menaik Overpass Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Red Deer County Forum for Division 7. It will be Thursday at 7 p.m. at Poplar Ridge Hall. Sylvan Lake Council candidate forum Wednesday at 7 p.m., at Duffers Den at Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club.

Terry Jacks Assault charge dropped SECHELT, B.C. (CP) -The Crown has dropped an assault charge laid against former pop singer Terry Jacks after he threw a wet dishrag his wife. Jacks 1974 version of Seasons in the Sun remains one of the best-selling singles by any Canadian musician. He was charged with assaulting his wife Maggi Jacks at their home in Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast about 50 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. I was washing the pots and pans and she said I wasnt doing it properly so I swore at her and threw a dish rag at her, Jacks, 57, said about the incident, which occurred in November 2000.

Crown counsel Alison Crowe agreed on Tuesday to drop the assault charges, in return for Jacks entering into a common law peace bond agreeing not to contact his now ex-wife. Jacks, who appeared in court wearing jeans and a T-shirt, described the assault charge as a very low blow. It put me through hell, Photo by CANADIAN PRESS Singer Terry Jacks says charges a low blow he said outside the courtroom. The couple were married for 23 years, and have a 16-year-old daughter. They have since separated and are divorcing and are already bound by a mutual restraining order issued by a B.C.

Supreme Court judge. Trial ordered in gang hit Donations: Most from boot drive Continued from Page A1 The major portion of the money came in during last weekends boot drive. Shinski, Red Cross community relations co-ordinator in Red Deer, said Central Albertans have donated more than $13,000 to the organization to date. Money continues to come in. That total helps comprise about $117,000 collected for the Red Cross in other parts of Central and Northern Alberta.

In Canada, Red Cross donations have almost hit the $5 million mark. This is the largest appeal weve been on, Shinski said. She said the unusual camel angle occurred Thursday night and Friday morning at an Innisfail auction. The Innisfail Truck Ranch brought a camel for display at the auction while people accepted donations for the Red Cross. In another effort, Bryan Balderson, owner-manager of Uptown Theatre in Red Deer said his theatre and other Landmark Cinemas in Western Canada and the Yukon donated $2 for each ticket sold Monday to the U.S.

relief elTort, The cinemas were joined by other Canadian film exhibitors including Park Plaza Theatre 7 in Red Deer. Balderson said final totals should be tallied sometime next week. Shinski said the Red Cross has just been asked to help raise fundB for relief of Afghanistan refugees fleeing their country in fear of United States and NATO raids. She said thousands of refugees needing help are crowding camps near the Pakistan border. People can donate to the relief fund for both efforts by telephoning toll free to 1800-418-1111.

People can also contact their local office at 346-1241. Fires banned All open fires are banned from campgrounds and picnic sites at two Central Alberta lakes. Friday afternoon, Alberta Community Development announced that, because of extremely dry conditions, people visiting Aspen Beach Provincial Park at Gull Lake and The Narrows Provincial Recreation Area near Buffalo Lake. The ban covers all wood and briquet fires, including those contained in designated fire pits, said district conservation officer Ray Gibson. Gas or propane stoves are allowed for cooking, only, said Gibson.

Laconibe County announced fire bans earlier this week. All bans continue until further notice. EDMONTON (CP) Two men accused of gunning down a 19-year-old outside his home last December in what police call a botched contract hit were committed to stand trial Friday. Provincial court Judge David Tilley ordered Keith Arnold Schell, 36, and Edmond Chin-Ilo So, 23, to next appear in Court of Queens Bench to set a trial date on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Adnan Pervez was shot dead in December 2000 in the driveway of the homo he shared with his parents.

It is believed his older brother Usman Pervez, a convicted drug denier, was the intended target of the alleged hit. The family moved to Calgary after the slaying to escape haunting memories and the threat of more bloodshed. Witnesses to the Bhooting said two men drove up to the Pervez home in a white or crcum-colourcd car. One man got out and fired several shots at the victim before the pair sped away in the car. Tilley gave his decision following a four-week preliminary hearing in which there was tight security featuring a metal detector and police tactical team members.

The trial, which likely wont begin until 2002, is expected to last three months and have about 150 witnesses. The pair remain in custody. Weather REGUONAQOUTEDOK AV Temperatures are todays highs and tonight's lows. Ft. McMurray 16-2 lot Cabttthftrt ho 1 avadahta Grando Prairie 3 16-2 Jasper um Red Deer region including Ponoka, Olds, Three Hills: Today, sunny.

A mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. Wind becoming west 20 kni-h in the afternoon. High 17. Sunday, sun and cloud. Low -4.

High 20, Monday, sunny. Low -4. High 20. Coronation region In eluding Stettlert Today, sunny. Wind becoming south 20 ktn-h.

High 16. Sunday, sunny. Low -4. High 10. Rocky Mountain House region Including David Thompson Highway) Today, sunny.

A mix of sun and cloud In the afternoon. Wind light. High 15. Sunday, sun and cloud. Low -4.

High 20. Banff 16-1 Edmonton am Rod Door P17-4 Catgary 2QM Lethbridge Calgaryt Today, sunny. Wind becoming west 30 km-h In the afternoon. High 20. Sunday, sun and cloud.

Low -4. High 20, Banff National Patkt Today, mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of afternoon showers, Wind light. High 16. Sunday, low -1. High 18.

Lethbridge: Today, sunny. Wind becoming west 30 posting to 60. High 22. Sunday, low 2, High 20. Ldmontoni Today, sunny, A mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon.

High 17. Sunday, low -5, High 16. Jasper: Today, a mix of sun and cloud. Wind light. High 16.

Sunday, low -2. High 15. Grande Prairie: Today, sun and cloud. High 16. Sunday, low -2.

High 14 Fort McMurray: Today, sun and cloud. Wind light. High 1(1. Sunday, low -2. High 13.

fowl 0 1 1 Avptffot ttmt Hi iimburtv No tfnhgat of Sunburn. 9hnt inniahl 4 rtt StmriM Ml Red Deer Advocate CENTRAL ALBERTA'S DAILY NEWSPAPER Published at 2950 Uremner Avenue, Red Peer, Alberts by The Red Heel Advocate Ltd. Canadian Publications Agreement 4336602 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Circulation 314-4300 Daily (Monday through Saturday) camet delivery: Monthly $13; piepald, six months $76,44, yeady $152.83 Motor and mall delivery available Main switchboard 343-2400 News News tips (business hours) 314-4325 (night line) 314-4333 Sports line 343 2244 News tax 341-6500 E-mail: editorial advocale.red-deer.ab.ca Joe McLaughlin, Managing editor 314-4328 John Stewart, News editor 314-4342 Carolyn Madindale, City editor 314-4326 Chris Simnett, Spoils editor 314-43G5 Hailey Hichatds, Life editor 314-4337 Web site www.redtleeradvocate.com Advertising Main number: 314-4343 Classified ads: 309-3300 Advertising tax: 342-4051 E-mail; advertising advotale.md-deer.ab.ca 4 8.