September 24, 2001

Bush administration officials say they are confident that Saudi Arabia will agree to provide critical bases for offensive operations against Afghanistan, even though announcement of Saudi cooperation strains relations between Washington and Saudi's conservative rulers; Saudi leaders voice public support in struggle against terrorism, but they are sensitive to launching military operations against another Muslim state from their territory; members of Saudi royal family are concerned about threats from Osama bin Laden, who has called on Muslims to overthrow monarchy for allowing in 'infidel' forces; bin Laden is outcast from one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent families; Saudis have reportedly offered millions of dollars to Taliban rulers to expel or turn over bin Laden; Secretary of State Colin L Powell and Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, are in contact by telephone, yet significant level of uncertainty remains over level of participation in American-led military campaign by Saudi Arabia, which fears damage from their own extremists (M)

New York Giants defeat Kansas City Chiefs, 13-3; photo (M)

Egyptian surgeon Ayman al-Zawahiri is considered likely successor to Osama bin Laden; was leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, terrorist group blamed for assassination of Pres Anwar al-Sadat; while bin Laden's charismatic style attracts followers to Al Qaeda, al-Zawahiri provides pragmatism, shrewd intelligence and brings years of experience to organization; he has not been seen in Egypt since 1986 and has been sentenced to death in absentia for various acts of violence and terrorism; he was indicted in United States for role in bombing of embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998; profile (M)

Entertainment industry has responded swiftly, vocally and unanimously to terrorist crisis; entertainers are volunteering to raise money for families of vicitims and to entertain troops deployed overseas; photo (M)

A M Homes article in series Writers on Writing focuses on how witnessing World Trade Center attacks has stilled her imagination for now; photo (M)