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Pak says US evidence sufficient to indict bin Laden in a court
In significant remarks, Pakistan on Thursday said the evidence given by US against terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaida network provided sufficient basis for his indictment in a court of law. Taliban hold cabinet meeting
In significant remarks, Pakistan on Thursday said the evidence given by US against terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaida network provided sufficient basis for his indictment in a court of law.
“We have seen the material provided to US by the American side on Wednesday. This material certainly provided sufficient basis for indictment in a court of law,” Pakistan`s foreign office spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan told newsperons.
The remarks are significant because no other Muslim country has taken such an unequivocal stand on bin Laden`s role in the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.
Khan said the material forwarded by the US to the Pakistan government related to bin Laden`s involvement in terrorist incidents before and after September 11 attacks. He, however, declined to comment whether the evidence indicted Taliban leadership that provided shelter to bin Laden or whether it was sufficient to justify a military strike on Afghanistan and bin Laden`s terrorist network in that country.
Khan pointed out that the UN resolutions have already asked Taliban to hand over bin Laden for a trial.
Asked whether Pakistan planned to share the evidence with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) or Taliban, he said it was for the US to exercise its judgement about sharing the evidence with other countries. “In our view there is need to share the evidence with international community.... Of course there are sensitivities involved regarding the confidentiality of the material. It is for the US to decide whether they want to publicise it or not,” he said.
Bureau Report
The remarks are significant because no other Muslim country has taken such an unequivocal stand on bin Laden`s role in the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.
Khan said the material forwarded by the US to the Pakistan government related to bin Laden`s involvement in terrorist incidents before and after September 11 attacks. He, however, declined to comment whether the evidence indicted Taliban leadership that provided shelter to bin Laden or whether it was sufficient to justify a military strike on Afghanistan and bin Laden`s terrorist network in that country.
Khan pointed out that the UN resolutions have already asked Taliban to hand over bin Laden for a trial.
Asked whether Pakistan planned to share the evidence with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) or Taliban, he said it was for the US to exercise its judgement about sharing the evidence with other countries. “In our view there is need to share the evidence with international community.... Of course there are sensitivities involved regarding the confidentiality of the material. It is for the US to decide whether they want to publicise it or not,” he said.
Bureau Report