WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush sent Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on a four-nation mission Tuesday that could be a prelude to military strikes against terrorists. Bush warned Afghanistan's ruling Taliban ``there will be a consequence'' if they fail to surrender Osama bin Laden and his followers. (Read photo caption below)

The defense secretary was leaving Tuesday night for military talks with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Uzbekistan, key members of Bush's growing coalition. Uzbekistan borders Afghanistan, where terrorist suspect bin Laden is being sheltered by the Taliban government. Rumsfeld's first scheduled stop was Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Building a case for war, U.S. diplomats shared confidential evidence with allies linking bin Laden's al-Qaida network to the Sept. 11 attacks and other terrorists acts. America's 18 NATO partners said the information was conclusive and formally declared the attacks on New York and Washington an assault against the alliance.
Bush sought to shore up his support in the Arab world, saying for the first time that the idea of a Palestinian state is part of the Middle East peace process. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in step with Bush, planned a trip to Pakistan to solidify the U.S.-led campaign against the Taliban.
Rounding out a day that underscored Bush's broad campaign against terrorism, the Pentagon added more than 2,000 reservists to its gathering war effort.
As the politicians talked, the military prepared for war.
The Pentagon announced that 2,263 National Guard and Reserve troops were called to active duty, bringing the total reserves mobilized to more than 22,400.
About 30,000 American military members are in the region, including two aircraft carrier battle groups and 350 planes. Two additional aircraft carriers are under way.
The administration hoped to keep the Taliban guessing about U.S. military plans.
But several U.S. officials said Rumsfeld's mission suggests Bush has some work to do first.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, right, listens as India's Minister of Defense and External Affairs Jaswant Singh talks to the press after a visit to the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001. Rumsfeld is leaving Washington Tuesday night on a trip to the Middle East. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)