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More US sanctions likely against Taliban

T V Parasuram in Washington

Sharing India's concerns over Taliban's role in abetting terrorism, US has threatened to use force against the Islamic militia in Afghanistan if Osama bin Laden, believed to be behind the bombings of US embassies in Africa, organizes any terrorist act.

"We have let them know, in no uncertain terms that we will hold them responsible for any terrorist acts undertaken by Osma bin Laden from Afghanistan. We reserve the right to use military force in self-defence if required," Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth told a congressional committee on Thursday.

The US is also "actively exploring" further action against the Taliban under the Security Council resolution, "which could includes imposition of an arms embargo" against the Islamic militia, he said.

Inderfurth, who was testifying before the Senate foreign relations committee, said both India and Russia are concerned over terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

"We share India's concern about the spillover from Afghanistan to other areas, including Kashmir where violence is increasingly associated with foreign elements," he said.

In this regard, he said, "We appreciate India's earlier closing down of Ariana flights to Amritsar and its strong co-operation in implementing the UN sanctions against the Taliban."

With India, he said, "We have this year institutionalized very productive consultations on counter-terrorism, naturally with a special focus on Afghanistan and related south Asian issues."

Referring to Pakistan, he said Islamabad's signals on the threats emanating from the Taliban "frankly, are still mixed".

"Pakistan wants, as does the US, to see peace and stability in Afghanistan -- after all, it shares the longest common border with that country. We believe the government of Pakistan also understands that the 'talibanization' or 'radicalization' of their country and of the region is something to avoid.

"Perhaps the recent incident in which the Taliban forcibly shaved the heads of a visiting Pakistani soccer team as punishment for wearing shorts -- while playing soccer -- will remind Pakistanis of the true nature of the Taliban yet again," he said.

Inderfurth said that while the US applies pressure like sanctions, it has also tried to engage the Taliban in serious dialogue.

"Some members of the Taliban," he said, "have told us they would like to improve their relations with us, such as restricting bin Laden's access to the foreign media. But we have seen no indication that the Taliban are ready to take the serious action -- on bin Laden or on other issues -- that would be necessary for any real improvement in our relations."

PTI

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