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Pakistani Officials in Afghanistan for Talks
Friday, September 28, 2001
The Associated Press

"It is a continuation of the diplomatic contacts Pakistan has with the Afghan government to persuade them of the need to address the concerns of the United States and the world community."
-- Gen. Rashid Qureshi, spokesman of Pakistan's military government

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- AP
In a new bid to break the deadlock over Osama bin Laden, a delegation of high-ranking Pakistani religious leaders and government officials arrived in Afghanistan today for talks with the ruling Taliban.

The 16-member delegation's visit came a day after the Taliban delivered a message to bin Laden, the prime suspect in the terror attacks on the United States, asking him to leave the country voluntarily.

It was the first indication from the Taliban that they knew where bin Laden was, or how to communicate with him.

The Taliban ambassador in neighbouring Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, accompanied the delegation. He confirmed in a statement to the Afghan Islamic Press agency that the team had arrived in the southern city of Kandahar, the Taliban's home base, and was expected to fly back tonight.
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