"Taliban say 'we want justice' "

[Doug Millison]

Sounds like they want a way out.  Will the Cowboy in the White House be
able to back off, forsake blood revenge in exchange for the Bad Guy?
Where's the pointsman who can switch this train?

http://www.dawn.com/2001/10/03/top2.htm

Taliban say 'we want justice'
By Our Staff Correspondent


QUETTA, Oct 2: What seems to be a last ditch effort to avert any US attack
on their country, Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Salam
Zaeef has offered talks to sort out differences with the Americans
including on the issue of Osama bin Laden.
Speaking at a hurriedly called press conference here on Tuesday evening, he
said: "We appeal to all the countries and their people to negotiate to
solve the crisis".
When asked whether Taliban will surrender Osama, he said not without cogent
proof about his involvement in the attacks in the US. "We want justice", he
pleaded, adding stiff "attitude would not help".
He said the world must understand that the Afghan people wanted a
negotiated solution to the Osama bin Laden issue as war was no solution to
the problem.
Answering a question if US provided Taliban with the proof against Osama
bin Laden, will they surrender him, he said the Taliban would discuss it
among themselves before taking any decision.
The Afghan envoy said some countries want to impose war on Afghanistan but
it is not a solution to the issue. Only negotiations are the right and
proper way to address the problem.
He said fighting a war is not so simple and easy. It is a very bad thing
with devastating consequences. Afghan people had fought war for the last
twenty years which claimed two million lives, thirty million injured while
some six million were displaced. "We and our people want to be helped. We
need food, shelter and reconstruction of our country for good life but no
war".
He said: "Ours was the first country to condemn the terrorist attacks in
the United States. We are peace loving people and never support such
activities. Providing evidence against Osama will be the best way for
resolving the problem. But when we asked for evidence, their reply was in
negative. Instead they insisted on their demand to surrender Osama to
them," Zaeef remarked.
He said: "We are part of the world and want to be treated as such, this is
our voice".
When asked about the whereabouts of Osama, he said he is in Afghanistan but
his whereabouts are known only to a fewer people who control his
activities".
Answering another question as to how long will the Afghan people could
fight US, he said as Muslims we believe in Allah and his help". He said
they have previous war experience against Russians with Allah's assistance.
Replying to a question about possibility of a revolt against Taliban, he
said it is a sheer propaganda unleashed by the West and denied any
differences among their ranks.
When asked about any possible change in the government in Afghanistan, he
said it is for Allah to change any regime or bring people in power.
About any role of the former king Zahir Shah in Afghanistan in future, the
Afghan envoy said "he (Zahir Shah) has no role to play and is a forgotten
story." When asked if Taliban can talk to US, he said they were ready for
direct talks.

Doug Millison - Writer/Editor/Web Editorial Consultant
millison at online-journalist.com
www.Online-Journalist.com