AFTER SAUDI REFUSAL, OMAN, QATAR EXAMINED AS U.S. BASE

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- The United States is examining the prospect that Omanor Qatar will be used as a base for any attack against U.S. forces preparingto attack Saudi billionaire fugitive Osama Bin Laden. Gulf defense sources said the U.S. review of Qatar and Oman comes afterWashington has dropped efforts to make Saudi Arabia a launching pad for anattack on Bin Laden, a Saudi national. The sources said Riyad has refused toallow the kingdom to be used for any attack on Bin Laden or the Afghanruling Taliban faction.