Thursday October 18 1:20 PM ET

Gaddafi Says U.S. Anthrax 'Worst Form of Terrorism'

TUNIS (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi condemned the use of anthrax in the United States on Thursday as ``the worst form of terrorism'' and called for international action to tackle the ``very dangerous'' situation.

``We are facing genuine terrorism this time, the worst form of terrorism, because this weapon is the worst weapon of mass destruction,'' he said in a statement received in Tunis.

``I cannot imagine that humans can use germs against other humans, whatever the degree of animosity between them,'' he said. ``It is a cowardly, evil and irresponsible action putting in danger the whole of humanity.''

Anthrax scares spread across the world on Thursday, and the first case of attempted contamination by the potentially deadly bacteria outside the United States was reported in Kenya.

Concern rose dramatically after 31 U.S. congressional staffers tested positive for exposure to anthrax. Five other people in the United States have been infected or contaminated and one has died.

Gaddafi, who has often assailed the United States for its policies in the Middle East and elsewhere, urged world leaders to put aside their differences and come together to ``pay whatever the price needed to stop the danger.''

``The situation warrants an international conference to express the conscience and the wisdom of the world... All rifts and animosities must be put aside to face this sheer danger,'' Gaddafi said.

Washington suspects, but has no firm evidence, that the anthrax scare is linked to Osama bin Laden, its chief suspect for the September 11 suicide attacks on the United States, which killed around 5,400 people.

Gaddafi has said Washington has the right to seek revenge for the September 11 attacks and offered his condolences for the victims.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2001

Answers

Ok. Hell just froze over. I'm soooo confused.

My husband tried to cheer me up by renting "Gulag". It made me nostalgic for the day when we only worried about Russia...who is now our friend...I'm soooo confused....

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2001

There are how many countries in the world, and how many splinter groups? It was pretty clear to me that in just the ME it was nearly impossible to do any effective strategic planning because some stray actor could jump in at any time with something not on the official script. All of that is compounded in the current situation. Sweet, though, to think that Gaddafi must open his own mail, why else would he be so concerned on our behalf???

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2001