Taliban, ``We Will Fight to the End``

Afghanistan`s Taliban government has decided to wage a `jihad` on America.

On September 21, the Taliban refused American President George W. Bush`s demand to `Hand over Osama bin Ladin`.

Afghanistan ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef responded to President Bush`s state of the union address at an interview with AIP news and stated, ``It is impossible to comply with President Bush`s demands.`` Zaeef inssited, ``Our position on Osama bin Ladin has not changed. It would be an insult to Islam to hand him over to America or foreign lands.``

In his state of the union address given in Congress before all federal government officials, President Bush demanded that the Taliban hand over bin Ladin and his followers immediately.

As the spokesperson for the Taliban government to foreign nations, Ambassador Zaeef`s words can be taken as the Taliban`s official position.

``Although bin Ladin may leave Afghanistan voluntarily, we will not ask him to leave.`` said Mr. Zaeef. He clearly indicated that the Taliban leadership will not comply with the religious leaders` ``demand to hand over bin Ladin.``

Mr. Zaeef stated in the interview, ``The problem is not bin Ladin. The U.S. is using bin Ladin to wage war on Islam.`` and demanded that the Islamic nations deal with the situation collaboratively.

Until now, the Taliban had shown signs of willingness to negotiate, saying, ``If there is clear evidence that bin Ladin is connected with the terrorist attacks, we will hand him over.`` This was further reinforced by the religious leaders` demand to hand over bin Ladin on September 20. As a result, there have been questions about whether the Taliban used this strategy to buy more time for war preparations.

Furthermore, Mr. Zaeef spoke harsher words today than in the past several days which may be a sign that the Taliban government has formally prepared itself for war.

``We are prepared to sacrifice everything for Islam. The Taliban warriors will wage a holy war on all those who insult Islam.`` promised Mr. Zaeef.

Hong Seong-Chul sungchul@donga.com