US Rejects Taliban Bin Laden Talks Offer

WASHINGTON, Wednesday - The United States on Wednesday told Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban it wants action, not negotiations after the Taliban reportedly offered to hold talks over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the attacks on New York and Washington. “The president’s message to the Taliban is very simple - it’s time for action not negotiations,” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said. He was responding to comments by Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who — according to the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press — said he was ready to hold talks with the United States over bin Laden. The Taliban allows the Saudi-born exile to stay in Afghanistan as a “guest. ” Fleischer said President Bush wanted the Taliban to “take the actions necessary to no longer harbour terrorists — whatever form that takes.” Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Taliban signalled Wednesday it would sooner face a massive military onslaught than surrender Osama bin Laden as Washington assembled an international coalition to go after him. Taliban troops have been seen mobilising, with fleeing refugees reporting movements near the border with Pakistan. US military movements also appear to have stepped up, with aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt set to leave port in Norfolk, Virginia accompanied by an escort of 11 warships and a unit of marines. A US navy statement did not give the carrier’s destination, but officials insisted the movement was routine. Two other battle groups led by aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS Carl Vinson are in the Indian Ocean. As more than 1,000 clerics, or ulema, from all over the country were meeting, a defiant message from the ruling militia’s supreme leader appeared to quash hopes of an extradition deal. Mullah Mohammad Omar said bin Laden would not be extradited without clear evidence linking him to the terror strikes that killed more than 5,800 people, and dismissed US allegations against the Saudi-born militant as a pretext to wage war on Islam. With at least three US aircraft carriers heading to undisclosed locations and Washington drumming up international backing for a military assault, both sides appeared to be moving closer to conflict. Western embassies in Islamabad began moving staff out of Pakistan. Diplomats stressed, however, there was no emergency evacuation underway. Tens of thousands of Afghans were fleeing Kabul and other Afghan cities for fear of US attack, massing near the border with Pakistan. Borders with neighbours Pakistan, Iran and China have been closed in anticipation of US air strikes. Worldwide, Muslim nations which have already pledged support for the US were bracing themselves for possible conflict within their own borders. Pakistan’s leading Islamic body, the Ulema Council, issued a fatwa calling for a holy war against the US and its allies if they attack Afghanistan. The decree called into question President Pervez Musharraf’s control and stability within the nuclear-capable country. In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, hardline Islamic groups threatened to raid US facilities and expel Americans in the event of a strike. Bush has recruited support from both countries as part of efforts to establish a worldwide anti-terrorist coalition. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has already signed up to Bush’s campaign, was meeting his European counterparts to “set the agenda” for support, while US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was in Moscow sounding out Russia’s readiness to co-operate. Most allies have voiced strong support for the US, but some stressed reservations at backing an ill-defined military operation. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Germany was ready to face the risks of a US-led military response, but rejected “adventures” and called for a comprehensive EU plan to combat terrorism by tackling its roots. French President Jacques Chirac, who met with Bush on Tuesday, said that while military cooperation was conceivable, Paris must first be in agreement on the aims and methods of action. China has also proved a reluctant conscript with leaders insisting that the UN Security Council play a deciding role. The Council has already given the Taliban a demand to “immediately and unconditionally” hand over bin Laden. Taliban leader Omar said, “We have conveyed to America that we have snapped all Osama’s communication links and he cannot talk to anyone in the outside world.” Omar offered to try bin Laden in the Afghan Supreme Court or to be monitored by the Organisation of Islamic Conference, options rejected by the United States. Ends