December 23, 2001	Sunday	Shawwal 7, 1422

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WASHINGTON, Dec 22: In a move that could lend a new dimension to the “fight against terrorism”, US President George W. Bush on Friday offered to provide American troops, including commandos, to other countries facing terrorism on their soil.

Talking to news agency reporters, he said: “If a nation comes to us and says, ‘We want some help’, something other than logistical help — special forces, for example — we’ll get it done.”

He backed up his remarks by saying that the US war on terrorism “extends way beyond Afghanistan.”

There has been constant speculation here over the past few weeks on “the next target” for US action, with Iraq singled out for particular mention. There have also been references to Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The Washington Post reported on Saturday that US special forces officers had recently visited southern Philippines to assess efforts to target the Abu Sayyaf group, which is believed by American officials to have long-standing connections with Al-Qaeda.

The officials fear that the Sayyaf group could provide refuge to Al-Qaeda members leaving Afghanistan.

At least 100 special forces soldiers are due to go to the Philippines by next month to train troops there in counter-terrorism.

Abu Sayyaf has been battling the Manila government for an independent Muslim state and is being pursued by Philippine soldiers on the Basilan island.

The newspaper quoted a US military officer as describing Abu Sayyaf as a “shared problem” between America and the Philippines that required a special degree of cooperation.

US officials say the cooperation with the Philippines would strictly be in the nature of a training and advisory exercise.

America’s involvement in Vietnam also began with the induction of US military advisers in that country.