Hain lists 100 successes

The Government today hailed a range of successes in the fight against terrorism since the 11 September disaster - but acknowledged that the prime target, Osama bin Laden, is nowhere to be found.

Europe Minister Peter Hain published a list of "100 points" in the 100 days since the attacks on America. They ranged from the setting up of an interim government in Afghanistan and new freedoms for women since the fall of the Taliban to "10 reasons why Bin Laden and al Qaeda are guilty".

Mr Hain, in a briefing at 10 Downing Street, acknowledged there was much still to do and went on: "Our aim is to bring Osama bin Laden and his key associates to justice and there will be no let up."

Asked, however, whether the coalition had any idea about Bin Laden's whereabouts, he replied that the situation was "very complicated".

American commanders have conceded they have no idea whether Bin Laden is still in Afghanistan, and if so where, or whether he has fled to neighbouring Pakistan or farther afield.

Mr Hain said: "We are still assessing every intelligence report that we get and will act on that information when we are in a position to do so."

The Minister added that a UN Security Council resolution authorising the British-led stability force should be ready "within a day or so". And he shrugged off suggestions that there could be confusion and danger as a consequence of a peacekeeping force entering the country while others were still engaged in fighting.

"I am very confident people on the ground will welcome our presence and our commitment to help build a decent future for them," he said.

Nevertheless, planners of the peacekeeping operation say the advance guard of Britain's force have to get to Kabul in the next 36 hours or the whole peace mission is in danger of failing, barely before it has begun.

A company of 40 Commando Royal Marines will set up a forward base in the Afghan capital from which they can give protection to members of the new interim government, which is due to be sworn in on Saturday.

"Ministers of the new government from the smaller parties have made it clear they will not come to Kabul unless we are there to protect them," said a senior British commander. "If the interim government fails to meet, the Bonn agreement will fail."

The commander of the new force, ISAF (Interim Security and Assistance Force), Major General John McColl, is due to arrive in Kabul tomorrow night. However, the full force will not be able to deploy until a Military Technical Agreement has been signed with the new interim government.

"This could take days, and possibly weeks," according to a Whitehall source. The UK has offered 1,500 troops out of a total force which could be between 3,000 and 5,000. Most of the British contingent, a battalion battle group based on the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment and elements of the HQs of 16 Air Assault Brigade from Colchester and the 3rd UK Armoured Division from Bulford, is not expected to set out until 28 December at the earliest.

General McColl believes the ISAF mission is feasible though he believes there is a lot still to be "pinned down" with the local leaders in Kabul. General Mohammad Qassim Fahim, designated defence minister in the new government, warned yesterday, "we Afghans have a well-known allergy to foreign troops on our soil".

However, a senior military source said: "It has been pointed out to Fahim that he represents only a minority in Afghanistan, and that under the Bonn agreement his forces have to withdraw from Kabul. If they are going to have a civil war, we will not stand in the way."