An Taliban Minister today accused the Britain’s Prime Minister of encouraging the United States to go to war. His comments followed the Afghanistan's ruling Taliban threat to attack Uzbekistan if it aided US in its pursuit of Osama bin Laden.
The Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, Mr Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, said the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, was encouraging the US to go to war, when he should be pushing for negotiations.
Mr Zaeef said the US was using Osama bin Laden as an excuse to attack Afghanistanm according to the Press Trust of India.
Meanwhile officials of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban today threatened to attack Uzbekistan if it aided the United States in pursuing Osama bin Laden and the Taliban leadership, Taliban-run radio reported.
"We will attack on Uzbekistan if any attack is launched from their borders," Radio Voice of Shariat quoted officials as telling a rally in Hairaton, ear the Uzbek boder.
Uzbekistan's President Mr Islam Karimov yesterday said he would make an air base available for use by US cargo planes, helicopters and troops, but only for humanitarian and rescue operations.
Earlier today 1,000 elite US troops were due to arrive in Uzbekistan.
The troop’s deployment came as British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and US Defense Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld wound up what many observers regarded as a last-minute diplomatic offensive before the expected attacks.
The 10th Mountain Division left their New York State base yesterday, US officials said.
35,000 US military personnel, 350 aircraft and three aircraft carrier battle groups are in the region, with support from some British and Australian forces. Commandos are reportedly already in Afghanistan scouting targets.
PA