WASHINGTON Ñ A leading U.S. terrorism expert has called on Arab allies to join the U.S.-sponsored war against Islamic terrorism or face being ostracized by the West.

Yonah Alexander, head of the terrorism program at the Washington-based Potomac Institute, said Arab allies of the United States must not be allowed to plead neutrality in an expected military response by the Bush administration. Alexander said the administration would consider massive attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq over the next few days.

The Israeli-born professor, who has served as a consultant to the U.S. government, said those who planned the bombings in New York and Washington might have used chemical or biological weapons in the suicide jet crashes. Alexander said it would take two days until the attack can be determined as having ended.

The following is an interview with Alexander:

Q. Were you surprised by the attack?

A. The writing was on the wall for a long time. It wasn't a question of if, but when. The problem is that the Americans always looked at terrorism as a nuisance and that it can go away.

Q. Who could be behind these attacks?

A. One threat is from Iraq. Another is from [Saudi billionaire fugitive Osama] Bin Laden. It seems to be a coalition of both of them. I think that the Bin Laden was very effective. I don't think Iran or Libya were involved.

Q. How can you explain the tremendous coordination of the hijackings and the suicide attacks?

A. There is no question that this was planned over a long time and was well executed. There was a warning last week of attempted hijackings by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. There were warnings. But it's now reality.

Q. How should the United States respond?

A. I would like to see the United States send an ultimatum to Afghanistan to deliver Osama Bin Laden dead or alive. The same goes for Iraq. If they don't condemn the attack, it means they support terrorism. And then we should destroy their entire military infrastructure. If the United States fails to be decisive, it will invite another strike.

Q. Will Arab allies of the United States join Washington in fighting Islamic terrorism or stay on the sidelines in fear of retaliation by Bin Laden?

A. In the short-term they are being very cautious. But in the long-term, they, too, will be victimized. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria are on the target list. We are not getting full cooperation from Syria, Sudan. Yemen is playing a game with us. I would recommend that states who don't fully cooperate should be placed on a black list. The same goes for [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat.

Q. Will the United States cooperate openly with Israel in the counterterrorism campaign?

A. The United States needs allies. Israel is a key strategic ally. Such an event will only strengthen the links with Israel. I think the relations will improve.

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