LONDON (AP) - A pause in military strikes in Afghanistan for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is ``being considered'' though past wars among Islamic countries have not had such cease-fires, Britain's foreign secretary said Sunday. (Read photo caption below)Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the Allies were sensitive to the religious implications of continuing the campaign during Ramadan, which begins in mid-November.
A halt to military action ``is being considered, but I have to say that if you look at the history of warfare in Islamic countries ... there have not been pauses during Ramadan.'' He cited the 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran and the 1979-89 Soviet war in Afghanistan.
His comments on a British Broadcasting Corp. talk show came as Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to assure the nation the U.S.-led war was morally defensible.
Pakistan and other Muslim nations backing the campaign against Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaida terror network have expressed increasing unease about the prospect of war during Ramadan.
But a delay would cost the Allies considerable momentum at a critical time. By the end of the holy month, the harsh Afghan winter will have set in, limiting air and ground operations.
Top U.S. officials have said Washington is prepared to keep up the fight through Ramadan, if necessary.
British officials warned Saturday that the war would not be easy or painless, but Blair said he was confident of victory.
The foreign secretary denied Iraqi claims that military objectives have expanded to include action aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz was quoted in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper as saying ``it is just a matter of time'' before Britain and the United States attack his country under the pretext of a war on terrorism.
PHOTO CAPTION:
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw talks with reporters following a meeting at the White House in Washington with Vice President Dick Cheney, Wednesdsay, Oct. 24, 2001. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
- Oct 24 4:47 PM ET