'Bin Laden in Afghanistan'

2004-02-23 11:45

Kabul - Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan and is planning further attacks on American interests, a spokesperson from Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime said on Monday.

A man, identifying himself as Taliban spokesperson Mohammed Saiful Adel, said Bin Laden's presence in Afghanistan was confirmed in a leaflet distributed to Taliban leaders in the south of the country.

The statement rubbishes claims by the US military that they are confident of capturing the al-Qaeda leader by the end of the year.

"The untrue and false propaganda that the Americans have spread about our leaders and authorities - that they will arrest them by the end of the year - is all nonsense," it says.

"It is part of Bush's electoral game so he can win the elections that he has spread these rumours all over the world.

"The leaders of the Islamic movement (Taliban) and the military commanders - and of course our special guest Osama bin Laden and (Egyptian al-Qaeda leader) Ayman al-Zawahiri - are in Afghanistan and are alive, busy planning anti-American operation plans."

The announcement did not say whether the anti-American attacks bin Laden is planning will take place on Afghan or foreign soil.

Puppets

"We give you this special message from our leaders and elders to make sure you are not worried about the false propaganda and to inform you they are safe and sound and busy making plans for attacking Americans, their puppets and slaves," it says.

Taliban forces will also launch more vigorous attacks against the 12 000-strong US-led coalition in the country, it says.

"We inform Taliban, mujahideen (holy warriors) and sympathisers of the Taliban in Afghanistan that 'inshallah' (god willing) in the coming Spring of 2004 ... attacks will be strengthened and accelerated against the Americans and the Christians and Jews in coalition with the Americans."

The Taliban, which still has support in the Pashtun tribal areas of southern and southeastern Afghanistan, was ousted from power in late 2001 by an American-led invasion after the administration failed to surrender bin Laden in the wake of the terror attacks in the United States.

Remnants of the regime launch regular attacks against US and international troops in the country, as well as against soft targets such as aid and reconstruction workers.

- AFP