Taking Bin Laden from his hideout will not be easy

Former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri will never forget where he was when the twin towers of the World Trade Centre were destroyed in a terrorist attack on September 11 - he was having breakfast in the UN building. Mr Holkeri, one of the peace brokers in Northern Ireland, was president of the General Assembly until Septmber 10, when his official mission ended. The following morning he and colleagues were breakfasting at the UN building when they heard a loud noise, and were told that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers. At first they thought it was an accident, not a terrorist act, but they were soon made aware of the true situation. The former Premier said that they were quickly evacuated from the UN building as it was suspected that it could be a target for another terrorist attack. The situation, he said, was one of chaos, adding that thank goodness President Bush was prudent at the time. “Patience is the best in these circumstances,” he said, adding that force will probably be used at some time, but when the whereabouts of the guilty party is known. As far as Mr Holkeri is concerned, Bin Laden is so protected that it will be hard to locate him and remove him from his hideout, unless it is by the use of the special forces.