Gathering Support (Stand Alone Chart)

September 19, 2001

Gathering Support

A summary, compiled by wire services, of key responses so far from around the world in President George W. Bush's effort to rally a global coalition for military retaliation for attacks against the United States. U.S. officials have pointed to an Arab connection to the attacks, adding that a coalition should include Muslim states.

Strong or Specific Offers of Support

1. AUSTRALIA: Said 295 troops stationed in United States had been given permission to deploy with U.S. forces if needed.

2. BELGIUM: Foreign Minister Louis Michel said he would send troops to help in U.S. military retaliation.

3. BRITAIN: Closest U.S. ally. Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to stand "shoulder to shoulder'' with Bush and has worked to bring less enthusiastic European states on board.

4. CANADA: Foreign Minister John Manley said Canada would "unambiguously'' join U.S. military action.

5. INDIA: Offered to allow U.S. military forces to use its facilities if needed. Has a big Muslim minority.

Diplomats say Washington is unlikely to need Indian bases.

6. ISRAEL: U.S. sources say Israel giving vital intelligence support on Islamist militants. U.S.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. sees no role for Israel in any military response. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon refused to make concessions to the Palestinians to help U.S. recruit Arab and Muslim nations for its anti-terror alliance.

7. ITALY: Said it would join a military response and was ready to deploy troops and aircraft if asked.

8. KUWAIT: Freed from Iraqi occupation by a U.S.-led coalition in 1991, offered all possible help.

9. SPAIN: Offered its air bases for any retaliatory strikes; promised to act "without any reservations.'' 10.-15. NIGERIA, GHANA, SENEGAL, TANZANIA, MOZAMBIQUE, BOTSWANA: Have issued a pledge jointly with Britain to "rid the world of the evils of terrorism" and to help dismantle terrorists networks wherever they exist.

Qualified or Limited Support

16. BANGLADESH: One of the most populous Muslim states, pledged support. Tuesday, U.S. embassy sources said they were awaiting a response from caretaker government to a request for possible use of airspace and port facilities. Bangladeshi officials said issue was too important to decide quickly.

17. FRANCE: President Jacques Chirac said France would be "totally supportive,'' but Prime Minister Lionel Jospin said it was up to Paris to decide how to help retaliate and Defense Minister Alain Richard warned against provoking instability.

18. GERMANY: Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping suggested in vague terms Monday that Germany could participate in a military response. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer earlier expressed caution and recalled that parliament has last word.

19. INDONESIA: Megawati Sukarnoputri, president of world's biggest Muslim nation, offered unspecified help. Other top officials have warned U.S. not to make Islam a scapegoat.

20. JAPAN: Struggling to reconcile its post-World War Two constitutional neutrality with loyalty to its key American ally. Criticized in 1991 for supporting U.S.-led war to oust Iraq from Kuwait without committing even a token force to the Gulf.