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K J M Varma in Islamabad
Acknowledging that world's most wanted man Osama bin Laden is under their 'control', a defiant Taleban militia in Afghanistan on Sunday said they were willing to negotiate with the US, if evidence of his involvement in September 11 terror strikes was provided, a condition immediately rejected by Washington.
Taleban Ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Zaeef told reporters in Islamabad that bin Laden was 'under the control of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and only security people know where he is', and vowed the militia will not hand him over.
He said that the Taleban was willing to negotiate with the US, if it provided evidence about his involvement in the terror strikes.
However, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card immediately rejected the Taleban offer of negotiation, and said the president doesn't want to negotiate.
"We have told the Taleban government what they should be doing. They've got to turn not only Osama bin Laden over, but all of the operatives of Al-Qaida organisation. They've got to stop being a haven where terrorists can train," he told Fox News.
In London, British Premier Tony Blair said he had seen 'powerful and incontrovertible evidence' linking bin Laden to the attacks, and gave a stern warning to Taleban to hand over the Saudi dissident or they would be considered as 'enemy'.
"I have seen absolutely powerful and incontrovertible evidence of his links to the events of September 11," he said in an interview to BBC television.
"They either help us or they become the enemy themselves. If they are not prepared to give up bin Laden then they become an obstacle," he said.
The Attack on America: The Complete Coverage
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