Hijackers not in Afghanistan, says Mutawakil

By Amit Baruah

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 24. The five hijackers of the Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 are not in Afghanistan, the Taliban Foreign Minister, Mr. Wakil Ahmed Mutawakil, said at a press conference today. The Taliban did not know where the five had gone; it had been agreed they would be given 10 hours to leave Afghan territory.

Asked if the hijacking of the Indian plane constituted an act of terrorism, Mr. Mutawakil, who handled the entire hostage crisis on behalf of the Taliban, described it as an ``unwanted action'', which deserved to be condemned.

To a question if Masood Azhar, the hysterical Pakistani cleric released by India to secure the freedom of the hostages, was in Afghanistan, Mr. Mutawakil replied in the negative. ``He is not in Afghanistan. We have not issued him a visa. However, we have no legal problems if Masood Azhar wants to visit Afghanistan.''

Mr. Mutawakil also made clear his displeasure towards the Government of India when asked by a Pakistani reporter if New Delhi was supplying arms to the opposition Northern Alliance. ``They (the Northern Alliance) are recognised by India. This is not a good sign for the people of Afghanistan.''

On Kashmir, he said ``every human being'' was hurt by the ``Kashmir issue'', which should be resolved according to the UN resolutions or under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

The Foreign Minister, who held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Mr. Abdul Sattar, did not reply directly to a question whether Pakistan had asked the Taliban to expel the Saudi rebel, Osama bin Laden. ``He's not from Pakistan,'' Mr. Mutawakil maintained. ``Talks were as before (on Osama). There was nothing new in the agenda.'' On Osama, he said the Taliban had never asked him to leave Afghanistan. Some time ago, he had asked for ``technical assistance'' in the form of transport to leave Taliban territory, but the ``response of the U.S. was quite negative''.

Asked why the Taliban had been recognised by only three countries, he said: ``Because of America.''

Pointing out that the situation in Chechnya was the ``most critical issue'' at the moment, Mr. Mutawakil said it was necessary for the international community to sympathise with the Chechens and resolve the issue.

To a question if he had asked Pakistan to recognise Chechnya, he said the Taliban had a right to request the Pakistanis, but it was for Islamabad to decide the issue.

Asked if the Taliban would provide military assistance to the Chechens, he said an agreement had been reached to allow them to open an embassy in Kabul, but ``further cooperation'' could be discussed. When pressed on the issue, Mr. Mutawakil stated: ``I am clear enough. For the time being, we have diplomatic relations.''

Negotiations with the Northern Alliance were possible, but the issue of Mullah Omar continuing as head of Government was not negotiable. Other issues, he indicated, could be discussed.

At another point, however, Mr. Mutawakil, replying to a question on the ``six plus two'' initiative, said it should be made ``six plus one'', indicating that the Taliban did not have much time for the Northern Alliance.

While the Taliban and Pakistan want to appear ``reasonable'' before the international community, the fact remains that such ``postures'' have been adopted over and over again. The Taliban, so far, have shown no inclination to share power.

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Section  : International
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