WASHINGTON, Sept. 16— When President Bush and his top aides talk
about military action to end Afghanistan's support for
terrorism, they are focusing on attacks to punish the Taliban
and undermine their control over the country, not a full-scale
American occupation.  No war plan appears to have been agreed
on, and officially the Bush administration insists that no
options have been excluded.  The administration, however, is
preparing a powerful military strike if the Taliban, as
expected, refuse to hand over the terrorist Osama bin Laden and
shut down his terrorist network.  The blow would be intended not
only to destroy terrorist bases in Afghanistan but also to
demonstrate to other nations that there is a heavy cost to be
paid for those who shelter enemies of the United States.  A
principal option is to intervene militarily in Afghanistan's
civil war on the side of the Taliban's foes: the beleaguered
rebel alliance that claims just a sliver of Afghanistan's
territory. It was just weakened further with the as