Taleban denies bin Laden responsible

BBC ^ | 9/11/2001 | BBC World Service

[SauronOfMordor]

Tuesday, 11 September, 2001, 16:36 GMT 17:36 UK

Taleban denies bin Laden responsible

A spokesman for the Taleban authorities in Afghanistan has said that the Saudi militant, Osama bin Laden, could not have been responsible for the attacks, as he did not have the capability for such a huge operation.

The Taleban are believed to be sheltering Osama bin Laden, who's been accused by the United States of ordering previous, devastating attacks on US targets.

The Taleban also said it condemned the explosions as terrorism.

In Palestinian camps in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon, some people expressed joy at the attacks, hailing Mr bin Laden as the man behind them.

But the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, said he was completely shocked and sent his condolences to the American people.

A senior official of the Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, said the attacks were the consequence of America's policy in the Middle East.

Leaders of a Palestinian faction, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, denied that they had anything to do with the explosions, after someone saying he represented them had claimed responsibility on Arab TV.

The Israeli Defence Minister, Binyamin Ben Eliezer, denounced what he called the threat posed by the terrorism of Islamic extremists.

He said Israeli army rescue teams were preparing to head to the US. The Jordanian and Lebanese governments have also condemned the attacks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

[SauronOfMordor]

They know the US could and would reduce Afghanistan into more of a wasteland than it already is

[Redcloak]

Kill them anyway. They deserve on a dozen counts already. Might as well do it now.

[Teacher317]

Doesn't matter... he is guilty of other terrorist attacks on the US, and now we're ticked... hand him over of become the focal point for our rage.

[Teacher317]

hand him over OR become...

[steamroller]

Why are the Taliban still capable of speech?They should have been incinerated by now.If they were innocent this time-tough-we have lost thousands of innocent lives today.

[OWK]

The fact that the Taliban would presume to speak for Bin Laden at all, is evidence of their culpability.

Cry Havoc, and let fly the Dogs of War.

[Caipirabob]

Taleban denies bin Laden responsible Too bad. He's next.

[JeepInMazar]

It's interesting that the Taliban and Yasser Arafat are the first two leaders overseas who I have heard made statements about this.

Afghan Bibles

[wamba2]

You obviously are very perceptive--I agree with you whole heartedly. Why are the Taliban speaking for this cowardly puke. It's time to wake the sleeping giant, it's time to teach these two bit zealot punks what we stand for and against. I sincerely hope that our government strikes multiple targets of special interest and hits them very hard. God Bless those who have lost their lives, those left behind to grieve, and the people of our country.

[KLT]

Yeah, I believe everything the Taliban says.....They are the ones' who are harboring terrorists, because they are terrorists themselves....Lying $%^&*!

[KLT]

Sure I believe everything the Taliban says.....Aren't they the one's who are harboring terrorists, because they're terrorists themselves? Liars, Liars, Liars! Sure, Bin Laden has no resources, that's why he's a millionaire, and BTW, this is his MO and he has many factions. Blow them to Kingdom Come!

[Malcolm]

Afghanistan: soon to be a cruise-missile paradise.....

[JAWs]

Translation: "Please don't send in the B-52s!"

[Polybius]

Madrussian,

FYI

In your opinion, what would be the Russian response to a U.S. suggestion that Russia and the U.S. conduct a joint attack on Afghanistan with low yield nuclear weapons to incinerate any possible hiding place that Bin Ladin may be hiding in.

Now that Russia and the U.S. both have a dog in this fight, this would be the time for joint action.

[Recovering_Democrat]

EXTERMINATE WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE

[Zon]

What are the odds that today's events would have happened if the U.S. government policy was limited to defending U.S. citizens' individual rights? Virtually nill.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Now that Russia and the U.S. both have a dog in this fight, this would be the time for joint action.

I have been thinking the exact same thing.

[Labyrinthos]

They know the US could and would reduce Afghanistan into more of a wasteland than it already is

Could, would, and SHOULD!!! What are we waiting for.

[the808bass]

The fact that the Taliban would presume to speak for Bin Laden at all, is evidence of their culpability.

Nail on the head

[ValerieUSA]

The Taliban is holding two Americans along with other westerners who were missionaries and medical aid workers in Afghanistan and has been threatening to hang them -- we should have acted against the Taliban even before these attacks today.
We are already defeated if we refuse to recognize our enemy.