A Taliban diplomat Saturday demanded the United States make public the evidence that allegedly links Osama bin Laden to last month's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
"The US should make all the evidence against Osama bin Laden regarding the September 11 tragedy public, instead of keeping it secret and confined to some of its allies," said Rehmatullah Kakzada, the Taliban's consul general in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi.
The Taliban has previously demanded it be given the evidence but Kakzada's comments are the first time the regime has called for the material to be made available to everyone.
The US has provided evidence to Afghanistan's neighbor and former ally, Pakistan, but has refused to deliver any material to the Taliban, which is facing retaliatory military action for protecting bin Laden.
"We have no objection if they have given it to Pakistan, but Osama is with us," Kakzada told reporters.
"If there is substance in the case, why have we not been provided with the same so that the situation can be defused?"
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that there was sufficient evidence "leading to an association" between the attacks and bin Laden.
Kakazada also said it was unlikely bin Laden would leave Afghanistan.
"It is up to him, but under the present situation it is very difficult for him to leave Afghanistan," he said -- KARACHI (AFP)
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