Saudi Arabia severs ties with Taliban

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (Bahrain), SEPT. 25. Saudi Arabia today cut off all ties with the Taliban accusing the militia regime of aiding terrorists who defame Islam and harm the reputation of Muslims. With the UAE having cut ties with the Taliban on Saturday, Pakistan remains the only country having diplomatic relations with a force that is reviled by every other country.

The Saudi decision could also presage intensive co- operation with the U.S. administration in its effort to cut off the sources of funding to terrorist organisations.

The Saudis had lowered diplomatic relations with the Taliban to the charge d' affaires level since 1998, following the militia's refusal to accede to the kingdom's requests for the extradition of Osama bin Laden.

In a statement issued through their official news agency today, the Saudis accused the Taliban of using its land to harbour, arm and encourage ``those criminals who carry out terrorist attacks which frighten the innocent and spread horror and destruction in the world. These attacks defame Islam and defame Muslim's reputation in the world''.

The Taliban had made Afghanistan into a centre for attracting, recruiting and training a number of ``deceived people'' from different nationalities to carry out criminal acts that violate any faith and creed, the kingdom added. The Saudi government said the ``deceived people'', especially included citizens of the kingdom. It accused the Taliban of resisting all pleas to hand over those criminals to justice.

While Saudi Arabia had deprived Osama of his citizenship, it was an open secret in these parts that the kingdom's intelligence services had in the past tried to keep the Al-Qaeda leader quiet, either through direct contacts or through the offices of the Taliban.

While not as enthusiastic supporters of the Taliban as Pakistan has been, Saudi had nevertheless tended to treat the militia as means for the advancement of its own interests in Central Asia.

It is not clear what arrangements will be made for providing consular services to the thousands of Afghans who work in the kingdom. The Saudis have not indicated that they are about to reverse course totally and establish ties with the Government of Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani that is still recognised as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan by the United Nations.

Saudi Arabia's decision could also mean that the kingdom is ready to co-operate with the drive launched by the U.S. on Monday to dry up the sources of funding to terrorist organisations. The assistance of the kingdom and the other governments of the Gulf Co-operation Council would be crucial if this drive is to succeed.

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