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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: gao seng who wrote (201921)	11/11/2001 11:04:46 AM
From: gao seng	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769669

Alliance At 'Gates Of Kabul' The anti-Taliban Northern Alliance is ready to defy American orders and attack Kabul. Opposition leaders say they are within striking distance of the capital after dramatic gains in the last 48 hours. Checkpoints Opposition forces are reported to have taken the important towns of Qala-i-Nau and Pul-i-Khumri and say they are pushing the Taliban back on two fronts. They took the strategically-vital town of Maza-e-Sharif on Friday. Alliance spokesman Ashraf Nadeem, said: "We have now reached the gates of Kabul from the north and our troops can launch an attack for Kabul any time." The ruling Taliban authority has increased security in the Afghan capital, setting up checkpoints throughout the city to stop rebel fighters sneaking in. Blair-Bush split? But the Alliance has received a stark warning from US President George W Bush not to launch any offensive against the Taliban stronghold. The Allies want the post-Taliban regime government by a broad-based institution featuring majority Pashtun tribes and moderate Tailbone leaders. They also fear a civilian massacres by Alliance troops - previous shifts in power have seen civilians targeted. Yet Geoff Hoon, Britain's Defence Secretary, sent out mixed messages to the Alliance during Sunday. "I would be quite happy to see the Northern Alliance steam across northern Afghanistan and take Kabul," he told the Sunday Times. Celebrations But the Northern Alliance has refused to rule out taking the city if there is a "political vacuum." Despite their claims, observers say the rebels would need more American help if they are to defeat the entrenched Taliban defenders. Reports from Afghanistan said men in Mazar had been shaving off their beards and playing loud music - banned under Taliban rule - as their former rulers fleed. sky.com