-Caveat Lector- Taliban issue warning to U.S. if sanctions imposed By Kathy Gannon 9 November 1999 Afghanistan's ruling Taliban army today threatened unspecified action against the United States if economic sanctions were imposed for its refusal to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. In a letter to the "people of the United States," the Taliban's reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, warned of "surprises" if a U.N. resolution calling for the U.S.�endorsed sanctions was carried out. The letter did not elaborate on the type of action Afghanistan would take. Afghanistan must hand over bin Laden by Sunday or face economic sanctions. Omar urged U.S. citizens to intervene with their government to prevent the sanctions, or risk the consequences. "If you do not take a step in this direction then you will be surprised about what is coming to you and you will not be able to do anything about it," Omar said in the letter, which was received by The Associated Press in neighboring Pakistan. The United States has alleged that bin Laden masterminded last year's attacks on two U.S. embassies in East Africa. He has been placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, and the U.S. administration has offered a dlrs 5 million for information leading to his arrest. The Clinton administration said on Monday that it was taking Omar's threat seriously. "This is a United Nations resolution that has the backing of the Security Council and the international community," said National Security Spokesman David Leavy. "What we are talking about is a threat that Mr. bin Laden poses not only to the interests to the United States but the international community." Leavy said he had not seen the letter. Omar's letter attacked the United States for rejecting Taliban offers of negotiations on the issue. Last week bin Laden offered to leave Afghanistan to a secret destination known only to him and Omar. But the United States and United Nations rejected the offer, saying the only way to satisfy the U.N. resolution and avoid sanctions was to hand over bin Laden over. The Taliban said they have no extradition treaty with the United States, and that Afghan culture and tradition made it impossible to hand over a guest seeking sanctuary from his enemies. "We have ... shown readiness for negotiations but the U.S. government seems to be bent on force and looks down on us," Omar said in his letter. The letter, sent Tuesday, was the Taliban's first threat of anti�American action since coming to power three years ago. For the past year neither U.S. or British citizens working for the United Nations have been allowed to travel to Afghanistan for security reasons. The Taliban rule 90 percent of Afghanistan with a heavy hand, imposing a harsh version of Islamic laws that ban women from work and girls from schools. Most forms of light entertainment are also illegal, and men must wear beards and pray five times a day at the mosque. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
