.....Well, original sin is a very interesting thing....,
QUESTION: Have you received any source of assurances from either side that they would not resort to the nuclear option in this conflict?
MR. RUBIN: I wouldn't be able to comment on diplomatic discussions of that kind.
QUESTION: Could you comment on the use of a Stinger since the Stinger missiles are in the region because they were supplied to the Afghan rebels once upon a time by the US?
MR. RUBIN: Well, original sin is a very interesting thing, and I'm not interested in speculating on it.
secretary.state.gov
"I do so because--as much as any region--the choices made here during the remaining months of this century will determine the shape of the next.
They will decide, for example: whether weapons of mass destruction cease to imperil the Gulf and South Asia; whether the oil and gas fields of the Caucasus and Central Asia become reliable sources of energy; whether the opium harvests of death in Burma and Afghanistan are shut down; whether the New Independent States become strong and successful democracies; whether Israel can find peace with security and Arabs prosperity through regional trade and
integration; whether terrorists are denied the support they need to perpetrate their crimes; and whether the great religions of the world can work together to foster tolerance and understanding.
secretary.state.gov
QUESTION: Apparently the Taliban has set a deadline of November 20 for the United States to prove that Bin Laden is a terrorist or else they are going to consider the case
resolved or in his favor. What do you have to say about that?
MR. RUBIN: Well, I mean, it doesn't sound very serious to me. The federal district court handed down an indictment on this and other issues. These facts speak for themselves. The real issue is not as described by the Taliban; the real issue is why the Taliban continues to provide safe haven to Osama Bin Laden. We have made clear to the Taliban on several occasions that it must stop harboring well-known terrorists like Osama Bin Laden. We believe that Osama Bin Laden should be brought to justice swiftly for his crimes, and any suggestion that one needs -- that this has expiration date, there is no expiration date on terrorist acts of this kind.
QUESTION: So are you planning any new consultations with the Taliban to try to, I don't know, give them a copy of the indictment or explain it to them or anything like that?
MR. RUBIN: We have been in touch with the Taliban from time to time, urging them to do the right thing here. They have not done so as yet. We will continue to talk to them, but I
wouldn't be in a position to specify what exactly we would say in such a diplomatic channel.
QUESTION: Would it be inappropriate for a country where an extradition has been requested to ask for evidence supporting the extradition request?
MR. RUBIN: We don't recognize the Taliban as the leader of Afghanistan. So you can't start using state-based analogies with me.
QUESTION: Okay, well, then don't call them a country; call them the people that run the neighborhood. Would it still be inappropriate to give them -- I mean, they do have the ability to produce him. Would it be inappropriate to present them with evidence?
MR. RUBIN: We would make the decision as to what we would think would best serve our purposes; and I'm not prepared to speak about it publicly.
secretary.state.gov
What I am saying is if Osama Bin Laden is THE mass murderer,who committed this most disgusting crime in world history. How come nothing serious was done about him for the past three years?
Nobody is ever prepared to speak about it publicly. Could thousands of NYC lives have been saved if ....?
What I never understand in politics is that the elected are never held responsible for anything. EVER.
Why did they not take on the Taliban and prove that Bin Laden is a terrorist before heating up world opinion for a good against evil crusade which may bring World War III on to stage?
Bombing three years later innocent civilians who are oppressed themselves will win nothing but invite more grief and body bags.While drawing millions of innocent American lives in harms way.
IMHO it would be much more valuable for world peace and harmony if the USA would dictate to the Likud party in Israel to honor the OSLO deal and return Palestinian owned land for peace as agreed with Yitzhak Rabin and compensate Palestinians for 50 years of daily terror, misery and as of late CNN televised rubble.
This most natural step would drain instantly a significant following from Fundamentalists and is on top so much more cost effective.
Regards,
ED |
