Nuclear threat should spur war review, Graham says

WASHINGTON -- The United States might need to reassess its military mission in Afghanistan because of the threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday.

Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., and other leaders of Congress' intelligence committees said there was a real possibility that the current standoff over the disputed province of Kashmir could lead to the use of nuclear weapons.

"Can we keep thousands of American troops in the theater when there is a threat of nuclear war?," Graham said on NBC's Meet the Press.

Al-Qaida spokesman threatens more attacks

CAIRO -- The spokesman for the al-Qaida terror group has threatened more attacks on Americans and Jews in a message published by the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Sunday.

"We confirm our continuation in working to attack Americans and Jews, and targeting them, both people and buildings," Al-Hayat quoted Sulaiman Abu Gaith as saying in an article that the newspaper said was published on the Web site www.alneda.com. The site could not be accessed on Sunday.

"What will come to the Americans, God willing, won't be less than what has come. America should be ready and on high alert and fasten the seat belts, as with the will of God, we will come to them from where they didn't expect," Abu Gaith was quoted as saying. The newspaper did not give Abu Gaith's whereabouts.

U.S. forces closing in on hostages, diplomat says

MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. and Filipino forces are getting closer to finding an American couple kidnapped a year ago by Muslim militants, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said Sunday.

Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries from Wichita, Kan., are being held by the Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network.

About 1,000 U.S. troops are providing training and other support to the Filipino military forces fighting the militants.

Wolfowitz arrived Sunday to discuss the operation with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is considering whether to allow U.S. forces to accompany Filipino troops on patrols.

Loya jirga voting snags

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Elections to choose southern Afghanistan's delegates for the national grand council got off to a rocky start Sunday as organizers dealt with intimidation allegations and organizational difficulties.

United Nations officials said the commission organizing the elections was dealing with the problems and expressed confidence they would be overcome.

"We are trying to take corrective measures, and the commission is taking a strong ethical line," said Robert Kluijver, a U.N. political affairs officer.

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