No threat to CARs from Afghanistan: Taliban

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban have assured the United Nations that they are not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and there is no threat to Central Asian States from Afghanistan.

"We have discussed the issue with the UN Deputy Secretary General and assured him that Islamic Emirate never interfere in the affairs of neighbouring countries. There is no possibility in this respect." Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rehman Zahid told the BBC.

"The people working for Islam or Islamic principles in Central Asia have no link with us and if they have any link, no problem has occurred on our border with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. So as for as the Tajik border is concerned, it is still in the control of the opposition. It is followed by Amu river and the Russia forces are also deployed on the border. There are Tajik intelligence officials and police. How the people from the areas being controlled by the Islamic Emirate pass these four borders and create problems in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. This is not correct."

Zahid said that Taliban have repeatedly stated that the Islamic Emirate has fulfilled all the conditions and principles required for recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations. "We have presented our arguments and now it is upto the world as to how much justice they do with regard to the people of Afghanistan."

Commenting on western criticism on human rights issue in Afghanistan, the minister said that Taliban have never opposed human rights. "We are sincere and respect human rights in accordance with the Islamic principles. We have also never promoted terrorism. You might be well aware that there was lawlessness, human rights violations during Rabbani's regime. They are blaming us for the presence of Osama bin Laden who was present in Afghanistan during Rabbani's era. But despite these things, the Rabbani regime had been recognized.

He said that different issues were discussed including general situation in Afghanistan and positive step of the Islamic Emirate to fight narcotics, human rights and women education. Some issues relating to terrorism and also referred to while Central Asian situation also came under discussions.

"We also raised the issue of Rabbani and UN annual report in the General Assembly. We stated that we are at a loss to understand as to what kind of issue would an administration which cannot control even five percent territory of the land present before the United Nations. And how they would implement the decision being made in the General Assembly at a time when they have lost their entire ground in Afghanistan.