Despite the recent sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security...

Despite the recent sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, the Taliban has no intention of handing over Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden. The Taliban Information Minister, Qudratullah Jamal, made a statement indicating that the policy regarding Osama would not be changed, and added that the UN had no understanding of the situation. Similarly, the Taliban Foreign Minister, Maulvi Wakeel Ahmed Muttawakil, announced that the Taliban would boycott the UN-sponsored talks aimed at reconciling the warring factions in Afghanistan. Additionally, he threatened to close down the offices of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan if the Taliban's overseas offices were to be shut down.

Tuesday, 19 December, 2000