• US attacks violate states sovereignty
• US missiles kill 26 in Afghanistan
• Protest rallies across the country
• Pakistan lodges strong protest with Washington
• Pakistan consults Islamic, friendly states
• Mulla Umer vows not to hand over Osama

August 22, 1998
US attacks violate states sovereignty

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the US missile attacks on Sudan and Afghanistan in a telephone conversation with US President Bill Clinton Friday, officials said.

Nawaz told the American leader the 'unilateral US action constituted violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent states '

Clinton telephoned Nawaz to convey his administration's point of view on Thursday's missile attacks on the two Muslim states, the officials said.

Instead of resorting to military action against sovereign states, the US should have opted for dialogue and consultation to achieve its objectives, he told Clinton.

Nawaz Sharif said the attacks had caused 'anguish and indignation in Pakistan.'

He also reiterated Pakistan's 'strong commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms as it had itself been a victim of state-sponsored terrorism for many years,' the officials said.

Our Correspondent adds: Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz told the Senate "Pakistan is taking a serious view of this dangerous precedent of international use of force."

He expressed "indignation" at the US strikes against Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan and targets in Sudan allegedly associated with terrorism, saying "the people of Pakistan feel outraged."

There was no detection of violation of "our air space," Sartaj said adding, "Pakistan will take all appropriate measures," if it was proved that its air space was violated. In response to the opposition criticism that his statement has left many points unanswered, Aziz ruled out that Pakistan had prior information on the US strikes. He also rejected that Pakistani bases or facilities were used for the attack by America. "We were aware that there were ships in the Arabian sea but they were 200 kilometres away beyond our limits," he added.

The attacks, the Minister said, were acts of violation of the two countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Opposition leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsen, deriding the Minister's statement, said instead of expressing indignation the government should have "rightly, correctly and without ambiguity" condemned the American strikes. They were "cowardly acts whosoever may have done it," he added.

Aitzaz said the minister's statement has left many points unanswered. When was the government of Pakistan made aware of the attack? Was that knowledge or awareness in advance of the attack? How did the government read the evacuation of Americans from Pakistan? Were any resources like territorial waters, personnel or consultative employed in the operation: were the questions Aitzaz put on Sartaj Aziz's speech.

A similar set of questions was posed by another PPP Senator Shafqat Mahmood about the Foreign Minister's statement. He said has the government of Pakistan sent any messages to the governments of Sudan and Afghanistan to express solidarity and support with them?

He called upon the government to convene a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to draw a unified reaction over the attack by Muslim countries.

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US missiles kill 26 in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD(AFP) - US missile strikes on alleged terrorist targets in eastern Afghanistan killed 26 people and injured around 40, Afghan sources and hospital officials in Pakistan said Friday.

So far 21 bodies had been recovered but the final toll may go up, a Taliban spokesman told the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

He said more than 30 people were injured in the missile strikes in Khost, around 120 kilometers south of Kabul.

Hospital sources in the nearby Pakistani town of Miran Shah said another five people, all of them Pakistani nationals, were also killed and eight were seriously injured and were in hospital.

US officials said it launched missiles at suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan and what it said was a chemical weapons-related factory in Sudan in retaliation for the bombings at US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania .

The bodies were taken to a state run hospital in Miran Shah, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Afghan border town suspected to have been one of the main bases of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden.

Miran Shah hospital chief Dr Jehanzeb Khan told AFP by telephone the dead Pakistanis were from central Punjab and NWFP.

It was not clear if the victims were religious militants or supporters of the Taliban Islamic militia. "We had declared emergency at our hospital soon after the US operation," the doctor said.

Several people were killed in the US military strike on a pharmaceutical factory north of here and some 300 are missing, the Governor of Khartoum state said Friday.

'There are dead and injured among the workers who were on the evening shift at the time of the bombing and the fate of 300 others including pharmacists and technicians is a mystery,' said Al Majzoub Khalifa.

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Protest rallies across the country

LAHORE-The US military raids on alleged terrorist bases in Afghanistan sparked condemnation here, as religious leaders called for mass protest rallies across the country Friday.

In Lahore Jama'at-e-Islami and other religious parties staged a protest demonstration on Friday afternoon from Masjid-e-Shuhada to Faisal Chowk against US missile attacks on Afghanistan and Sudan. The demonstrators later burnt US flag in front of the American Center on Shaarey Fatima Jinnah.

The participants were led by Amir JI Lahore, Farid Ahmed Piracha. They were holding placards and shouting anti-US slogans. Addressing the participans at Faisal Chowk, the JI leaders said that since Pakistan was the only Muslim nuclear power in the world it should now declare war against US for shedding the blood of Muslims.

They called US attacks as blatant aggression and a sheer act of terrorism. They said that if government did not protest against US aggression the people will rise against the government and oust it from power.

Farid Ahmed Piracha said that after USSR now it was the turn of USA to disintegrate. He said history was witness to the fact that Muslims had always succeeded against more powerful enemies with the force of their faith.

Hafiz Salman Butt said that after the break up of the USSR, America had made Islam their target. He said after becoming nuclear power it was quite a shameful act on the part of our government to allow US hegemonic designs.

Former MNA Mian Muhammad Usman said that Pakistan Government was trying to fool the nation, as he was convinced that it would not have been possible for the US to attack Afghanistan without its help.

Muzammal Shah of Harkat-ul-Ansar said the way of Jihad was the only way left to bring about resurgence and renaissance of Islam.

Maulana Saif Ullah asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to refrain from helping US in its evil pursuits against the Muslims.

Earlier, Jama'at-e-Islami also arranged a protest meeting before American Center.

Islamabad

In almost all the mosques of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, regardless sect, the khateebs and religious scholars in their Juma sermons reprobated the missile strikes on two Muslim states terming them an act of blatant terrorism in the name of suppressing terrorism.

They denounced the strikes and termed it a criminal act that should be boldly faced as ''the old conflict between virtue and vice is still going on and the attacks are a violation of the international code of conduct.

They said the attacks were a naked aggression against the humanity in general and the Muslim Ummah in particular.

''It is a terrorism being launched in the name of quelling terrorism by the so-called champion of human rights'' and linking the attacks with the August 7 bombings at the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam was an unjust and savage decision which would definitely have far-reaching and cataclysmic effects on the aggressor.

The charged up faithfuls shouted "Down, down USA," Thwart anti-Islam forces' nefarious plans,'' ''Be prepared to fight anti-Islam gundaism,'' and "We are ready to protect the faith".

The attacks, they maintained, were intended to cover up the internal problems the US President Bill Clinton was facing, as the former White House aide Monica Lewinsky's confession of sexual relations with the former has almost put a seal on Clinton's regime

They said that if the US could attack Afghanistan and Sudan today, it could also strike Pakistan tomorrow.

''The US under the garb of protecting its interests and in the name of safeguarding human rights is waging aggression against the innocent people of the world which must be sternly and effectively responded by the Muslim and other peace-loving states.

''The Government of Pakistan not to rely on the US and its allies aid,''the khateeb and scholars said.

''The Muslims should be prepared for a battle to deal with terrorism."

The Jamiat Ulema Islam, Sipah Sahaba, Jama'at-e-Islami took out procession supporting Osama bin Laden and declared a holy war against the Americans. Religious verdicts approving killing of Americans were also issued by the Ulema.

Nawaz Sharif was urged by the speakers to either support Islamic Mujahideen or face the consequences. Nawaz would die a dog's death if he doesn't declare his help for the Muslims, said Maulana Abdul Jalil, President of JI Rawalpindi Division during his speech at Abpara.

The speakers at the JI rally accused the government of providing information and help to the Americans for launching their missile attacks in Afghanistan. The JI and Imams of various mosques threatened US with dire consequences if any harm was done to Osama. Every Muslim will become Osama throughout the world if Osama was harmed, said the JI leader.

Students of the International Islamic University and various religious schools gathered outside the heavily guarded American Center and burnt the US flag. The US flag and effigy of Bill Clinton was burnt at several places in Rawalpindi and Islamabad by the crowd charged with anti-American feelings.

Declaring a holy war on the Americans the molvis special offered prayers for those who martyred in the US missile attacks. Processions were taken out from every mosque to condemn the US.

Crowds originating from the mosques in the Capital chanted anti-US slogans and gathered at the main centers in the Capital disrupting the traffic for several hours.

Senator Hafiz Fazal Mohammed of JUI(F) in his speech termed the US attack in Sudan and Afghanistan a cowardly act. The US, he said, has violated international norms and all moral rules. Terming the US attack as barbaric he said the US had conducted the attack without having any evidence. The US, he said, cannot blame Osama. The explosion at the US Trade Center, he said, was also blamed on the Muslims but later the Americans found that it was the work of their own citizen.

Amid loud anti-Iranian and American slogans the senator said that the war has been initiated by the Americans and more difficulties will be observed in the future.

The senator while supporting the Taliban also condemned Iranian government for criticising Pakistan and for its anti-Taliban policy.

Earlier, Malana Abdullah the official Imam of Lal Masjid (red mosque) while criticising the government for its passivity said that the government should differentiate between the aggressor and the victim. Keeping silent under such circumstances, he said, is akin to supporting tyranny.

America, he said, like a thief attacked the unarmed civilians. Reading verses from the Holy Quran Malana Abdullah said those who make friends with Christians and Jews will become like them i.e their part.

Five mujahideen from Ansarul Harkat, he said, were reported to have been martyred by the American attacks in Afghanistan.Two belong to Multan, two form Fasilabad and one form Manshara.

Amidst anti-American and Iran slogans Imam of the mosque threatened to teach America a lesson for attacking innocent civilian population in Sudan and Afghanistan.

The JI leader while addressing the rally said the US was a coward. The party, he said, has launched a country-wide protests to condemn the US action."If US is a super power than why is it afraid of mujahideen living in mountains.

If any harm is done to Osama the Muslims, he said, would react. The America, he said, had called Nawaz Sharif and thanked him for providing the necessary help for launching the attacks. Such snakes among us, he said, are very dangerous. The US he said had used Pakistani soil. The leaders may be sleeping but the people, he said, are awake-and will not let the government get away.

No untoward incident was reported during the protest rallies.

Expressing a strong reaction to the attacks, Deputy patron of Darul Uloom Haqania, Akora Khattak, Maulana Anwarul Haq said, on telephone from Akora Khattak, "We the administrators and teachers of Haqania condemn the attack in the strongest possible words and appeal to the Islamic world to get united."

The madrasa, patronised by Maulana Samiul Haq chief of his own faction of Jamiat ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), is renowned for giving religious education to a large number of Afghanistan's Taliban who have implemented a purist Islamic system in their country.

"America has challenged honour of the Muslim Ummah," Anwarul Haq said.

He said by attacking Osama America in fact tried to attack the emerging Islamic system in Afghanistan. "The attack on Osama was an excuse to destroy Shariat in Afghanistan."

He gave a call to the Muslim world to launch a unified action against America to end "its policemanship." "America should be ready for a Nigeria and Algeria like situation if it acts like a world policeman."

Darul Uloom Haqania has a long association with developments in Afghanistan as about 90 per cent of the Taliban leadership and the movements' rank and file are either its present or present students.

The Arab dissident, Osama bin Laden, whose bases were attacked, in an interview with journalists at his hideout in Afghanistan sometime back, had informed them about his ties with Maulana Samiul Haq.

Over 100 condemnation resolutions were passed in various mosques in Rawalpindi and Islamabad condemning the US act and expressing solidarity with the Jehad forces in general and Usama bin Laden.

In Rawalpindi, two protest demonstrations one in city and second in Cantonment were organised to protest the US attack on Muslim states.

In Raja Bazar, after Jumma prayers hundreds of people gathered outside Darul Aloom Talimul Quran which later in the leadership of Maulana Ashraf Ali,Qari Saeedur Rehman,Maulana Abdul Malik,Maulana Gohar Rehman and number of other scholars belonging to various sects marched toward Fowara Chowk.

The protesting demonstrators were chanting slogans against US and Bill Clinton,and in favour of Usama bin Laden and other Jehad forces. Some of the demonstrators were also holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the US aggression and Jewish lobby working against Muslims.

The demonstrators burnt US flags and two effigies of Bill Clinton at Fowara Chowk.Before burning effigies these were disgraced and beaten up by the demonstrators to express their disregard to Bill Clinton's decision to attack Sudan and Afghanistan.

Later, addressing the demonstrators these scholars termed the attack on Afghanistan and Sudan blatant violation of international laws and added that this act on part of United States showed that how much the so-called sole super power in the world respect the international laws.

They urged Muslim countries to boycott diplomatic and trade links with United States.They also demanded of the Government of Pakistan to clarify position regarding the use of Pak land for this purpose.

These scholars expressed solidarity with Usama bin Laden and other Jehad forces fighting against the enemies of Islam and Muslim Ummah.

Meanwhile, another protest demonstration was brought out from main Jamia Masjid Allahabad after Jumma prayer and over couple of hundred people participated in the demonstration to condemn US attack and to express solidarity with Usama bin Laden and other Jehad forces.

The demonstrators after taking round of the main bazar gathered in front of the mosque where besides burning US flags and effigies of Bill Clinton the Ulema belonging to various sects addressed the demonstrators.

A resolution was also passed unanimously to condemn the US attack and to express solidarity with the Jehad forces.

In Karachi, demonstrations were held and rallies were taken out from different parts including Lasbella Chowk, Saddar and Clifton which ended at Karachi Press Club. The protestors were chanting slogans against America and carrying placards and banners in their hands. The JUI(F) organised a large rally at the Karachi Press Club after Juma prayers. About 300 people belonging to various factions attended the rally. The Sipah-e-Sahaba also staged a demonstration at the Karachi Press Club around the same time.

The Jama'at-i-Islami (JI) held another rally at the downtown and was addressed by the local JI leaders. They condemned the US action and said it was a naked aggression against two sovereign states. The speakers criticised the pro-American policies of the present government and asked to cut all links with anti-Islamic forces. The procession of JI started from Lasbella Chowk.

Another demonstration led by Sipah-e-Sahaba was held at Clifton the participants were protesting against the attitude of Iran against Pakistan.

Meanwhile the heavy contingents of police and para-military forces were deployed in different parts of city to avert any untoward incident. It is also learnt that in District Central, a stronghold of MQM, many shops were closed in protest against US strikes. People in general have resented and asked the government to issue a bold and frank statement condemning the US aggression.

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Pakistan lodges strong protest with Washington

From Umer Farooq

ISLAMABAD-Pakistan on Friday lodged a strong protest with the United States over the missile attack. The American Charge de Affairs was summoned to the Foreign Office Friday morning and was conveyed the protest on US Tomahawk hit. The US Charge de Affairs regretted and admitted that it was some technical error.

The spokesman for the Foreign Office, Tariq Altaf, said that the US strikes took place 10 to 15 kilometres away from Pakistani borders inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan has also lodged a protest with the United States over Pakistani airspace violation. The spokesman said that the United States Charge de Affairs was summoned to the Foreign Office and was conveyed the protest.

The Foreign Office spokesman said that Pakistani radars did not detect any violations, "However, it is our understanding that the Tomahawk missile is a low flying object which can evade radar detection," said the spokesman. "We have lodged a protest under the presumption of violation".

"The Government of Pakistan expresses indignation at the US strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan. Irrespective of the motives of these strikes, the act of violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these Islamic countries cannot but be a matter of grave concern to the people of Pakistan who justifiably feel outraged," said the spokesman for Foreign Office.

"I would likely to categorically state that no bases or facilities of Pakistan were made available to the US; nor was any such assistance requested. In future also we would not provide any such assistance" said the spokesman.

The radars of Pakistan Air Force did not detect any airspace violation by the United States aircraft, however, senior defence officials do not rule out the possibility. "There is a possibility that the US aircraft flew over Pakistan-Iran border to enter Afghanistan".

The Armed Forces experts are gathering information and analysing it in order to reach some conclusions about the airspace violations. Defence experts do not rule out the possibility of electronic jamming of Pakistani radars by the United States.

The spokesman for the Foreign Office said that the US attack has caused outrage and aggravated the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan which, following a decade of superpower military intervention, continue to be in the grip of turmoil and internal conflict causing great hardship to the people of Afghanistan. It is ironical that Afghanistan which valiantly defended the cause of the free world has now been subjected to such unwarranted and arbitrary act of violence.

"We call upon all countries to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and Sudan, and express our solidarity with their people," said the spokesman.

The spokesman refused to answer a number of questions relating to possible US-Pakistan cooperation in eliminating Osama bin Laden.

"When you say that Pakistan did not cooperate with the United States in get-Osama operation are you speaking on behalf of all the agencies and departments of the government?" a question was posed to the spokesman to which he replied that he was speaking on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

Responding to a question the spokesman said that the Pak-US talks on non-proliferation issues will not be effected by this development.

Replying to a question the Spokesman said, Pakistan has not provided any information to the US about the whereabouts of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden.

Pakistan, the spokesman said, calls upon all countries "to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and Sudan, and express solidarity with their peoples."

Replying to a question Tariq Altaf said Pakistan defence preparedness is strong and in good hands.

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Pakistan consults Islamic, friendly states

From Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has started consultations with Islamic and other friendly countries to tackle the situation arising out of the US missile attacks in Afghanistan and Sudan.

Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday and firmed up Pakistan's response to the US strikes. After this meeting, Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz made the policy statement in the Senate.

The three services chiefs, heads of the intelligence agencies, Interior Minister Ch. Shujat Hussain and senior Foreign Ministry officials attended the meeting which took into consideration all the aspects of the situation created by the US strikes.

The meeting expressed concern over the loss of life and property in the two brotherly countries and the government's determination to protect Pakistan's territorial integrity and supreme national interests under all circumstances. It called for exercising restraint in the wake of these events.

An official told The Nation that the meeting, which continued for two hours, noted that Pakistan has not provided any base or facility to the United States to strike in Afghanistan. It was briefed about the reports received by different government agencies about the situation in the areas hit by the US strikes.

Later, the Interior Minister chaired a meeting of the senior officials of the intelligence agencies. It decided to ask Pakistan-based diplomats to restrict their movements for the time being in view of the high public sentiments due to the US missile attack.

The Interior Minister will preside over another meeting on Saturday, which will be attended by provincial chief secretaries, home secretaries, IGPs and senior federal officials to take into account the law and order situation in the wake of the US strikes.

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Mulla Umer vows not to hand over Osama

From Shazada Zulfiqar

KANDAHAR - The Ameer of Taliban regime, Mulla Mohammad Umar Mujahid has termed the US missiles attack on Afghanistan as an act of enmity with Afghans and added that it was a conspiracy rather than operation against Saudi millionare Osama bin Laden.

In a statement issued to journalists here on Friday, he stated that America had no proof of involvement of Osama in any terrorists act all over the world as such it was nothing but the failure of intelligence agencies of US. He observed that had they collected any proof earlier, they (USA) would have linked the terrorist act of East Africa with Osama in the very outset.

About the possible handing over of Osama bin Laden to USA, Mullah Mohammad Umar declared that it was against the pride of Afghans to do so.

He vowed that all Afghans would fight to the last against any foreign aggression.

It was the day of ordinary Afghans who thronged the streets of Kandahar as a mark of protest against what they termed US aggression against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Maulvi Wakeel Ahmad Mutawakil, the advisor of Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Umar said Afghanistan was willingness to enter in negotiation for settling the issues, but declared that Taliban could never be browbeaten into accepting other dictations.

After the Press conference, the newsmen representing the local (Quetta), national newspapers and international media were shown Iranian arms and ammunition supplies. The Taliban recovered from Mazar-i-Sharif following fall of the town. The arms and ammunition included the heavy mortars and Kalashnikovs, launchers and rockets and G-3 rifles.

Maulvi Masoom Afghani, the former Afghan Ambassador at Pakistan and present Federal Minister for Haj and Auqaf and Information Minister Maulvi Abdul Hai Motmaeen were also present on the occasion.

"Talks could be held with US for the settlement of the issues as Taliban" has never been hesitant to hold negotiations with any one, but no one could thrust terms upon Taliban by applying force," said Taliban movement spokesman.

To a question, Maulvi Wakeel denied that Usama bin Ladin, a Saudi Millionaire staying in Kandahar region, was involved in any terrorist activity around the globe and said that both Usama and Taliban leader Mullah Umar Mujahid had always been denying the latters involvement in any act of terrorism. He told that Usama was categorically asked that during his stay on Afghan soil he would not support or take part in any terrorist activities and similarly Usama also assured Taliban authorities in this regard. He said that as far as Afghanistan was concerned it always supported the peace in the region and that was, it showed its willingness to enter into negotiations with anyone for the peaceful settlement of issues.

To another question, he said that Afghanistan did not have any extradition treaty with American so it was out of question that US would be allowed to take Usama.

When asked about the casualties in the wake of US attacks on two towns of Afghanistan Khost and Jalalabad, Maulvi Wakeel said that according to unconfirmed reports 21 civilian were killed while over 30 others received injuries. However, he pointed out, this report could so far not be confirmed.

About the future plan of Taliban authorities in the back-drop of US missile attacks on Afghanistan, he said that Afghan Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had not permanent seat in United Nations and were not recognised as legitimate government in country of nations so would be facing difficulties in mobilising the opinion against the US attacks with Islamic countries. However, he pointed out, the act of aggression by the United States would not be appreciated in every where. However, Afghanistan had its representatives every where in the world and would try to seek support for the stance of Taliban.

He said that Pakistan on Friday condemned the US aggression against Afghanistan and Taliban would hope that Saudi Arab which had already recognised Taliban government, would follow Pakistan.

When asked about the Kabul incident on Friday, Wakeel Mutawakil confirmed the armed attack on two French nationals, associated with NGOs and said that they were seriously injured and battling for their lives. He condemned the incident and said that the culprits would be arrested soon and be awarded exemplary punishment.

To a question about the Iranian diplomats whereabouts, Wakeel Mutawakil said that Taliban did have any information about them. He said that these Iranian diplomats might have fled with the defeated elements from Mazar-e-Sharif after its take over by Taliban authorities, or they might have died or taken refuge somewhere. However, he said, Taliban forces captured 30 Iranians and five Afghans on the charges of supplying arms and ammunitions to their opponents.

Giving the figures of war prisoners belonging to opponents, he said that so far 1500 people were captured and were in the custody of Taliban authorities.

Thousands of people marched on different roads of Kandhar, as a mark of protest against the US missile attack on Afghanistan and the alleged Iranian interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs; vowing to resist all kind of pressures being exerted on Taliban to hand over the Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden.

A complete strike was observed by the traders in Kandhar, the second biggest city of Afghanistan where the Taliban headquarters is situated, to express resentment against 'actions', of Iran and USA. All the shops, main markets and shopping center remained closed.

The protest demonstration started from the famous Eidgah Chowk and after marching through main streets and bazars, ended from where it had started. The charged processionists were raising slogans against the USA attack on the two eastern cities Khost and Jalalabad on Thursday night. 'Almighty Allah is great, down with US, down with Iran and Russia, long live AmeeruI Momineen Maulana Muhammad Umar Mujahid were the slogans being chanted by the angry youth. 'Iranian interference in Afghanistan will not be tolerated by the people of Afghanistan' was inscribed on one of the banners, the protesters were carrying.

Following the USA attack, the atmosphere in Kandhar was emotionally charged. There was a wave of anger and indigination running through the common people. The procession after passing through various roads ended at Shaheedan Chowk, where speakers while addressing the gathering, strongly condemned the USA attack on Afghanistan. They demanded that Iran should refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. They expressed solidarity with Taliban regime. The speakers included: Haji Sher Agha, Haji Saifullah and others.

Later four resolutions were adopted. The speakers vowed that Osama was in safe hands and no power on earth could arrest him.

'The US is not strong enough to arrest Osama from Afghan soil and the attacks from USA had been carried out just to intimidate Taliban authorities into extraditing him,' said a Talib Mohibullah.

In a resolution, the citizens of Kandhar in the protest demonstration held the United Nations responsible for USA aggression and said that if USA dared to attack Afghanistan again, United Nations and its Security Council will be held responsible for the consequences. In another resolution they alleged that Iran was interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs and added that people of Afghanistan had every right to react to such incidents, so as to give it a befitting reply.

According to another resolution, it was demanded that UN should recognise Taliban government as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, as according to international law it met all standards required for recognition.

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