AL SHAAFA, (OMAN), Oct 11 (Reuters) Rritain released what a government official called a "Bible" of war aims in an unusual move designed to ease Arab fears of a western crusade against Islam.
The detailed breakdown of British strategy released yesterday,produced as prime minister Tony Blair rallied Arab support for the US,led war on terror , sought to dampen speculation that the war might stray beyond Afghan soil.
The British government official said no other country would be attacked without "absolute evidence" that it sponsored terrorism and without the widest international backing.
The official, who is travelling with Blair, said the policies were set out clearly in what he called downing streets "Bible" of campaign aims for a "War Against Terrorism".
The strategy paper , "defeating international terrorism, campaign objectives" , sets its prime targets as bringing Saudi-born Osama bin Laden to justice for the role Washington and London believe he played in attacks on September 11 in the United States.
Britain also wants "sufficient change in Afghanistans leadership to ensure the links to terror are broken".
As well as breaking protocol by making the strategy public, London also risks making waves because the government official dubbed the document a "Bible".
President George W.
Bush caused widespread offence last month with his call for a "crusade" against terrorism.
Longer-term aims included deterring states from "supporting, harbouring, or complicity in" international terrorist groups.
"Any military action taken to achieve those objectives (must be) compatible with international law and self-defence," the official quoted the document as saying.
He said the objectives included international aid for Afghanistan which could cost 7 billion Dollars.
They should also tackle suspicion in the middle east that Washington was using the suicide hijackings, which killed up to 5,600 people, as a pretext to settle scores with Arab foes.
"There has to be a positive political agenda in particular for the Arab and Islamic world to ensure there is no legitimate accusation that this is the west at war with Islam and the Arab world," the official said.
That would require renewed efforts to resolve the long, running Arab-Israeli conflict and the troubled Kashmir and caucasus regions, he added.
Asked about Britains policy towards the Talibans Northern Alliance opponents, he said the alliance had "strengths and weaknesses".
"They couldnt alone form a government.
That is our assessment.
When they did try it was pretty hopeless".
He said the document had been compiled with Washingtons knowledge.
"There is nothing between us on this," he said.
The "Bible" nonetheless highlights Blairs delicate role of keeping more sceptical members of a fragile coalition on board while standing "shoulder to shoulder" with the United States.