Taliban slammed by Russia for naming Bin Laden as Commander in Chief (?Supressed in the US?)

UPI ^ | Thursday, 30 August 2001 9:58 (ET)

[libertarian_usa]

MOSCOW, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemnedthe appointment of Saudi terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime, the official RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Bin Laden's appointment confirmed that a center of international terrorism is being set up in Taliban-controlled territory, the ministry said in a statement.

"Pseudo-religious values are being used as a cover to prepare a bridgehead for expansion of militant extremism and separatism far beyond the region's borders," added the statement.

This month, Russian media quoted Pakistan's Nation daily as saying that the Taliban had named bin Laden commander of their troops. Afghanistan's civil war concerns the Kremlin as hundreds of Russian border guards monitor the Afghan-Tajik border and a potential spill of violence could plunge the whole region into chaos.

Moreover, the Taliban's aim to build an orthodox Islamic state has given rise to many Islamic extremist movements in the former Soviet republics in Central Asia. In recent years, Islamic insurgents from Afghanistan launched raids on Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The Taliban's ongoing clashes with the Northern Alliance movement backing ousted President Burhanuddin Rabbani -- the leader of the government general recognized by international organizations -- have alerted Russia and its partners as arms smuggling, drug trafficking, kidnapping and other crimes have flourished along the Afghan-Tajik border.

On Thursday, Moscow also condemned the appointment of Juma Namangani as bin Laden's deputy. Namangani, an ethnic Uzbek, was liked to a number of raids on Kyrgyzstan's Batken district over the last three years. Namangani advocates creation of an Islamic state run by a regime similar to the Taliban's and spreading over Central Asia.

"Incorporation of the international terrorists' leaders into the ruling structures of the Taliban shows the need to take decisive measures to collectively counter global challenges that are put forward from the Taliban-controlled territory," said the statement.

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

[sport]

BUMP

[sport]

BUMP

[PresbyRev]

Excellent post #15 - BUMP

[lavaroise]

Isn't this ironic? Now the Russians want a reason to go back to Afghanistan and control back its "lost" soviet era territories. This attack is perfect cover for Russian advance and WWIII preparations.

[lavaroise]

Isn't this ironic? Now the Russians want a reason to go back to Afghanistan and control back its "lost" soviet era territories. This attack is perfect cover for Russian advance and WWIII preparations.... with western aid... "they will not sell but give us the ropes with which we will hang them. "

[oyez]

Funny thing that Bill Clinton hasn't popped into the news. The media can't get enough of him. Why didn't they seek out his "expert opinion".

Every body knows he would say, "Strike back only when your ass in in hot water".

[Diddle E. Squat]

Is this legitimate Russian criticism of the Taliban, or a CYA move prior to the NYC events?

[patriot5186]

so that would make it state sponsored terrorism. i think Taliban just lost their civil war.

[libertarian_usa]

". i think Taliban just lost their civil war. "

Is it IRAN or the CIA or NEITHER that is funding the opposition?

[libertarian_usa]

"so that would make it state sponsored terrorism"

Not an "act of war"?

[onyx]

Nuke 'em, now.

[patriot5186]

the real point is that it's no longer just some lone fanatic living in a foreign country and doing things of his own volition without any official government involvement, but a person who holds an official position in their government - if this is indeed true.

as far as the opposition - I'm not sure who is funding the North - the ones who did the strikes today. Anyone?

[Freedom56v2]

96 HOURS NOTICE--Did we get notice?! I regretfully suggest that 96 Hours notice just gives the Afghani leadership (incl. Bin Laden) time to leave the country. I doubt they care about their civilians at all. Given W's speech last nite, I doubt that we will give harboring governments (of whoever did this) notice.

[Kerensky]

bump

[Blood of Tyrants]

Looks like we sided with the wrong people in that war.

[malakhi]

Check this out.