UAE Defense Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Wednesday urged the United States to “think very carefully” before attacking Afghanistan, saying a strike could trigger a "human catastrophe" affecting millions.
"I call on the United States to pause for reflection and give a chance to diplomacy and all legal means before it resorts to military action, which could have grave repercussions on world peace and security," said the minister in a statement, cited by the official WAM news agency.
He said Washington should also provide decisive evidence that Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement were involved in the terror attacks on New York and Washington.
"I am worried about a hasty US military action, as information about the perpetrators of the crimes in New York and Washington included many contradictions, like names of people who have been proven to be innocent," said the minister, who is also Dubai's crown prince.
He warned of the repercussions that would follow the “death of innocent civilians in possible military operations and the fate of hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of Afghans who will flee the battlefields.”
"The international community must expect a human catastrophe whose features have already started to emerge in the waves of Afghan refugees flooding into Pakistan," he added.
The UAE cut its diplomatic ties with Taliban on Saturday, saying the Islamic militia was refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the attacks that slammed the US earlier this month.
Saudi Arabia also severed ties with the militia for similar reasons. Pakistan is now the only country that still maintains diplomatic ties with the Taliban – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
