Author:
Publication: India Today
Date: October 15, 2001
In an exclusive interview to India
Today, the Foreign Minister of the United Islamic and National Front for
the Salvation of Afghanistan (popularly called the Northern Alliance) spoke
to Executive Editor RAJ CHENGAPPA. Excerpts:
Q. How do you view India's offer
or help to the US after the terrorist attacks?
A. India's stand shows the resolve
to fight the menace of terrorism jointly.
Q. Pakistan is not willing to fully
derecognise the Taliban. What do you think is its game plan?
A. This shows that it still wants
to retain influence on Afghanistan. The current situation was created by
Pakistan. Today we are asking it to change course by 180 degrees. Let's
not forget it is the Taliban that gave the facility for establishing the
terrorists network not only in the country but activate it in the region
and now the world
Q. Initially the front was against
the US ground forces. Now do you concede that you require the US and its
allies' help to win the war?
A. The issue is now different.
Osama bin Laden has done certain things and the Taliban is connected. The
world has to react. With the help of the global community the time taken
to free Afghanistan would be less.
