Abandoned U.S. embassy in Kabul torched

KABUL, SEPT. 26. Thousands of Afghans stormed the abandoned U.S. embassy compound here today, setting fire to vehicles and ripping down the large metal seal on the front of the Chancellery in the largest demonstration since the U.S. threatened to attack this country for allegedly harbouring terrorists.

The crowd rushed into the compound, abandoned since 1988, and torched several vehicles and another building before the Taliban security moved them away.

The protesters stoned the Chancellery, and several men climbed the front door and used hammers to remove the large, circular seal of the U.S.

Before storming the embassy compound, the crowd marched through the streets chanting, ``Long live Osama'' and ``Down with America.'' Protesters burned a life-size effigy of the U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, and an American flag. ``We are the people of Kabul,'' they shouted. ``We are ready for a ``jehad'' (holy war) against the U.S.''

After the protest, the people gathered on the streets of the city and adopted several resolutions by acclamation. They expressed grief over the thousands of deaths in the attacks in the U.S., but asked Washington to fully investigate the matter before invading their country. - AP

Meanwhile, opposition to a possible U.S. strike against Afghanistan gained momentum, with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, terming the U.S. ``disgusting'' and vowing that his country would not cooperate with any U.S.-led attack on Afghanistan.

There are reports that religious extremists in Indonesia have taken to the streets and are even ``searching'' hotels in Surakarta in central Java for Americans.

`Not against Afghans'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 26. Pakistan today asserted that it could never join any ``hostile action'' against Afghanistan and its people. It also maintained that neither Osama bin Laden nor any of his associates with the Al-Qaeda (prime suspects in the September 11 terror attacks on the U.S. cities) could in no way find a safe haven in Pakistan.

Prima facie, the observations made by the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Riaz Mohammad Khan, on the policy of Pakistan vis- a-vis Afghanistan lend scope for interpretation, but it is necessary to mention the context in which the comments were made to understand the real intent.

He was responding to a specific question at a news conference on Pakistan's position if the U.S. decided to attack Afghanistan. The spokesman questioned the premise of the journalist and went on to explain that the fight was not targeted against any country or people. ``The fight is against terrorism. Pakistan is part of the international coalition to fight against terrorism. But it can never join any hostile action against Afghanistan and its people. The destinies of people of both the countries are intertwined,'' he said.

Mr. Khan's comments are bound to trigger speculation as they come at a juncture when the U.S. defence team is now engaged in discussions with its counterparts in Pakistan on how the U.S. intended to get at Osama and his networks in Afghanistan.

Mr. Khan declined to comment on reports about differences between Pakistan and the U.S. on Afghanistan. ``All I can say is that so far we have no specific information about the U.S. plans. The U.S. mission is for exchange of information.''

He denied that there were any plans to order the closure of the Taliban mission in Islamabad and reiterated the position that it served as a window to the world and vice-versa.

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