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Afghanistan Not to Turn Over Osama Without Substantial Evidence -- Zaeef
September 22, 2001

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- PNS
Taliban have categorically stated that they would not turn over Osama bin Laden to United States without substantial evidence adding that the US aggressive designs against Afghanistan is part of a conspiracy against Islam.

Addressing a news conference here Friday, Afghan envoy to Islamabad Mullah Abdus Salaam Zaeef alleged that invasion of Afghanistan was planned in Germany well before the terror strikes of September 11 referring to former US Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth's statement that his country would intrude into Afghanistan in September or October.

"US onslaught against Afghanistan would be crusade against Islam so all Muslims must unite to block way of American antagonism", he said wondering why there was so much haste in launching an assault despite the fact that investigations are yet to reach a conclusive stage.

Zaeef said that his country is ready to conduct trial of bin Laden but his extradition without supporting evidence is out of question. Referring to the verdict of the council of Afghan clerics to ask Osama leave the country voluntarily, he said that it is a recommendation and the final decision would be taken by the Taliban Supreme leader in light of Quran and Sunnah.
(More: PakNews.com News Source)

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