Administrative Head of Afghanistan Will “Pardon Taliban“

Hamid Karzai, head of the Afghanistan interim government, is moving forward with the plan to pardon the Taliban leaders on the condition that the Taliban hands over its last stronghold Kantahar.

According to the Washington Post, "Mr. Karzai is negotiating with senior Taliban leaders over the surrender of Kantahar. The situation of Kantahar will be soon resolved."

Karzai also said in the interview with British The Times, "I received a message from Taliban leader Mohammed Omar to request for the pardon of the senior Taliban officials and himself 5-6 days ago."

A high official of Pashtun, a relative of Mr. Karzai who had kept close contact with the Taliban, said that Mr. Karzai accepted the offer and it was delivered to Omar.

Pakistan newspaper DAWN also reported that "Mr. Karzai announced an overall pardon over the all citizens of Afghanistan to avoid the bloody revenge and retaliation among the people." right after he was appointed as a government leader.

Meanwhile, U.S.A. Today reported yesterday, "U.S. President George W. Bush set a preparation to begin the second stage of war on terrorism in Iraq, Yemen, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Philippine even before Osama bin Laden is to be hunted down."

British Defense Minister also emphasized in a speech at London King`s College that UK has to prepare for the expansion of war on terrorism to other countries since a time for the UK to use military power over the nations that support the terrorist organizations may be coming. However, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell revealed at a press conference after meeting with the Turkish leaders that President Bush did not make any decision about the attack on Iraq as an operation of war on terrorism.

Meanwhile, CNN reported an unverified information that a son of Osama bin Laden was killed by the recent U.S. air raid.

Osama bin Laden has over 23 children and, among them, at least 14 are sons.

Sun Dae-In eodls@donga.com