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Inderfurth calls for expelling Osama from Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern over Pakistan's support to Afghanistan harbouring Osama bin Laden, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Karl Inderfurth, on Friday called for Laden's expulsion for bringing him to justice on charges of terrorism.

Inderfurth was briefing reporters at the end of his two-day visit to Pakistan at the American Centre here.

"Pakistan's support to Taliban who harbour and protect Osama bin Laden is a concern to us. The continuation of presence of bin Laden in Afghanistan and his network we believe is a threat to the international community," said the US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

Inderfurth said during over two hours talks with two Taliban officials here on Thursday "we urged Taliban to expel bin Laden to a place where he could be brought to justice as called for by the Security Council's Resolution 1267."

He said bin Laden was an issue discussed between Pakistan and the US many times and Taliban as well.

When asked whether he received some assurances from Taliban, he said: "We have received assurances in this regard. Well, we do believe it is important to continue to restate the urgency from the standpoint of the United States and international community that bin Laden be expelled and brought to justice."

Inderfurth said: "We hope that the day will happen very soon."

About solution of Afghanistan, he said that US also believed in the broad-based government that is "representative of ethnic and geographic make-up of the entire Afghanistan population."

He said: "US also welcomes the recent initiative taken by Gen. Musharraf" to engage Iran to co-operate and bring in all parties to the negotiating table for the solution of Afghanistan crisis.

"We believe and combined the urgency of the bin Laden issue from our perspective as well as we believe a long-term solution to Afghanistan which is to enter into negotiations to establish a broad-based government," he added.

He said that Gen. Musharraf in one of his earlier statements had taken the position that there should be a representative government in Afghanistan.

"And, that is the direction he would like to move and we will support that," he said.

Giving details of his talks with Gen Musharraf, he said "these discussions are confidential between the governments and it is not appropriate for me to give you as much details. I am sure, you would like our exchanges on our mutual concern about terrorism and the steps Gen. Musharraf and other officials are envisioning."

He said: "I am satisfied that our concerns are first listened to at such length and, secondly, I believe there is an understanding of these concerns as we expressed them to Gen Musharraf and others."

Inderfurth said he hoped that the government of Pakistan would take steps against "such extremist groups which carry out acts of violence inside Pakistan as well as in the region."

"We believe the presence and activities of these groups in Pakistan get Pakistan bad international reputation in the world community and that works against Pakistan's national interest," said Inderfurth.

He said the issue of terrorism was "the first priority in our discussion" with the Pakistani authorities.

Inderfurth expressed hope the action will be taken to address this issue because "this is the issue that we believe affects Pakistan's long-term security interests as well as the international community. APP