Immigrants: Be Sure of Targets

War-savvy residents urging focus

By Bryan Virasami | STAFF WRITER

September 19, 2001

To Boris Miketic, this is not the time for Americans to be choir boys. But, he said, military action against the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center should come only after the enemy has been clearly defined.

"I think we need to clear up the mess here first," he said, referring to reports of terrorists who remain in the United States. "War is an awful thing. I'm definitely against it but in this situation I'm for some type of action."

Miketic, owner of Croatia Travel in Astoria and host of "Radio Free Croatia" on WNYE, said that based on the calls he receives to his radio show and conversations with co-workers, he believes most Croatians think some retaliation is warranted.

Indeed, immigrants living in Queens, many of whom come from countries that have experienced military conflict, say the United States should punish those responsible for the attacks against the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

At the same time, many are reluctant to strike at Afghanistan, where civilians may die and where Osama bin Laden - identified as the prime suspect in the Trade Center attack - is reportedly hiding.

A Pakistani immigrant who runs a photo shop in Elmhurst said he is sympathetic to America because his future is here. On the other hand, he's concerned about Pakistan being caught between the Taliban, which rules Afghanistan, and the United States.

"They just shouldn't go after Afghanistan, they should go after terrorists," Aziz Bhattia, 40, said. "They should do it for the next 10 years to make sure terrorists are not here."

Others were more direct.

"Take him out," Morshed Alam said about bin Laden, who is suspected of playing a role in the Trade Center attack, as well as the attack on the USS Cole on Oct. 12, 2000.

Alam, who fought for Bangladesh's freedom from Pakistan in 1970 and now lives in Jamaica Estates, said the terrorists and supporters of the Taliban should be punished.

"They're doing harm to humanity all over the world," he said about bin Laden's supporters. "We should do something, they should be targeted."

A fellow Bangladeshi immigrant, however, whose cousin is missing in the disaster, said he is not in favor of war.

"It's completely against my personal beliefs," said Shahin Chowdhury, an Astoria businessman. "America has the ability to catch the persons who did it instead of going after innocent people."

Chinese immigrant Peter Zhong, 60, of Flushing, said the United States should focus on getting rid of the terrorists here. Retaliation, he said, should come only after it's clear who is responsible for the World Trade Center attack.

"You must know who attacked the World Trade Center, who attacked America," said Zhong, a restaurant worker at the Queens Center Mall.

Subway and Transit

No service on the 1/9 lines between Chambers Street and South Ferry

indefinitely. The World Trade Center station on the E line is closed, and the N/R line between Canal Street and Whitehall Street is likely to be out of service for weeks during the rescue and cleanup. Additionally, 4 other stations - Chambers Street on the 2/3 and A/C, Park Place on the 2/3, and

Wall Street on the 4/5 - will be temporarily bypassed by subway service until further notice. Some bus service been restored to serve the financial district.

Most service resumes on a regular weekday schedule, except for the changes shown below: