US President Mr George W Bush has warned Afghanistan's ruling Taliban that time is running out.
The US also rejected today’s offer by the Taliban to free eight aid workers in exchange for the United States halting its threats against Afghanistan.
In his weekly radio broadcast today Mr Bush emphasised his war against the Taliban and suspected terrorists has nothing to do with Afghan civilians.
He said the US is offering help and friendship to the Afghan people.
"It is their Taliban rulers, and the terrorists they harbour, who have much to fear," he said.
Mr Bush, who authorised $320 million in immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan on Thursday, has urged the US Congress to set up a longer-term fund for the eventual "reconstruction and development of that troubled nation".
He offered no details on such a fund, which White House spokesman Mr Sean McCormack said was is still in the idea stage.
Mr Bush also shed light on the enemy he intends to attack, describing them as a brutally repressive Taliban, which all governments of the world, except Pakistan, reject as Afghanistan's legitimate government.
Meanwhile the Bush administration today rejected the Taliban's offer to free eight aid workers.
Earlier today, Afghan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the Taliban could free the aid workers if the United States mitigates the sufferings of the common people of Afghanistan and gives up its dire threats.
But a White House official said Afghanistan's ruling Taliban must hand over Osama bin Laden along with all the leaders of his al Qaeda organization hiding in Afghanistan.
US President Mr George W Bush also demanded the Taliban give the United States full access to terrorist training camps and release all foreign nationals held there.
"These demands aren't subject to negotiations," the White House official said. "It is time for actions, not words, with regards to these demands."
The aid workers - two Americans, two Australians and four Germans -have been in Taliban custody since early August, accused of trying to spread Christianity in Afghanistan - a charge that could carry a death sentence.
Sixteen Afghan from the German-based Shelter Now International (SNI) relief agency are also in detention.
Mr Bush is to spend the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland and plans to hold a teleconference with members of his National Security Council.
PA and