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Taliban leader vows to destroy
America
(Filed: 15/11/2001)
TALIBAN leader Mullah Mohammed Omar today warned of a
"big" plan to destroy America which could happen within a short
time.
In the interview, conducted in Pashto for BBC World
Service radio, he refused to cooperate in the formation of a new
government for Afghanistan, saying the Taliban "prefer death than to
be part of an evil government".
He also insisted that the fundamentalist militia was
still holding "four or five" provinces in Afghanistan, despite
opposition gains.
"The current situation of Afghanistan is related to a
big cause - that is the destruction of America," he added.
"The plan is going ahead and God willing it is being
implemented, but it is a huge task beyond the will and comprehension
of human beings. If God's help is with us this will happen within a
short period of time.
"Keep in mind this prediction. This is not a matter
of weapons. We are hopeful for God's help. The real matter is the
extinction of America. And, God willing, it (America) will fall to
the ground."
Interviews by the Taliban leader are rare. The BBC
said it posed its questions via a satellite telephone to a Taliban
intermediary, who passed them on to Omar through a hand-held
radio.
The intermediary then attached the telephone receiver
to the radio for the BBC to pick up his answers.
Omar insisted that "we are all moderates, taking the
middle path," but when asked if the Taliban would cooperate with the
formation of a new, broad-based government, he said no.
He added: "The struggle for a broad-based government
has been going on for the last 20 years, but nothing came of it. We
will not accept a government of wrong-doers. We prefer death than to
be part of an evil government."
Asked about gains by opposition forces, which have
seen them take the Afghan capital Kabul and a swathe of the north of
the country, he said the Taliban still held their southern
stronghold of Kandahar.
He also said it was unimportant how many provinces
fell, as territory lost could be regained. |
