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Afghanistan's Taliban Defies U.S., Won't Give Up bin Laden
Thursday, 20 September 2001
By Leilani P. Tee
KABUL, Afghanistan -- AFP
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban yesterday gave its clearest signal yet that it is ready to face a massive US military attack rather than hand over Osama bin Laden.

As more than 1,000 clerics from all over the war-ravaged country began considering Bin Laden's fate, a defiant message from the Islamic militia's supreme leader dampened hopes they would agree to extradite the man suspected of orchestrating last week's attacks on New York City and Washington, DC.

Mullah Mohammad Omar said Bin Laden would not be extradited without clear evidence and dismissed US allegations against the Saudiborn militant as a pretext to wage war on Islam.

"Islam is a true way of life and our enemies and those against our religion believe that we are their enemies," Omar told the clerics.

"They are trying to finish us on various pretexts. One of their pretexts is Osama bin Laden's presence in Afghanistan."

The tough signal came as Islamic groups in neighboring Pakistan stepped up their opposition to Islamabad's pledge of cooperation and the United States and Western embassies began pulling out the families of their diplomats and non-essential staff for fear of unrest.

There has been no violence on Pakistan's streets yet but radical Islamic groups have vowed to wage a nationwide campaign against the government's stance.

The country's most important Islamic council yesterday issued a fatwa calling for holy war against the United States and its allies if they attack Afghanistan.

"The Pakistan Ulema Council has called for a jihad against America and its allies if they attack Afghanistan. The attack will be an act of terrorism," the council said.

"It is the duty of all the Muslims in the world to protect Muslim countries and Muslims, and the people of Pakistan and the ulema will not let America destroy the interests and identity of Pakistan and Afghanistan."

Council Vice Chairman Maulana Naseeruddin said rallies and "Death to America" conferences would be held around the country on Friday.
(More: The Guardian News Source)

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