Taliban will pay a price: Rumsfeld

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 30. At least two important messages were conveyed by senior Cabinet members of the Bush administration today, in the wake of the Taliban's refusal to hand over the Saudi fugitive, Osama bin Laden, and its ``willingness'' to negotiate the issue with the U.S.

First, the Taliban would indeed pay a ``price'' if it did not accede to the American demands; and secondly, Washington was determined to unseat the Taliban in Kabul, and if this meant embracing the Northern Alliance, that would be the direction.

The U.S. Defence Secretary, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, was categorical in saying that the Taliban would pay a price. ``I would think that that ought to be self-evident at this point,'' he said. He also signalled a clear U.S. interest in embracing the various anti-Taliban groups, including the Northern Alliance.

The hardening of the administration's stance was reinforced by the White House Chief of Staff, Mr. Andrew Card. ``We do not want any Government to harbour terrorists. And the Taliban Government has been harbouring terrorists... They should be out of power'' should they continue the policies.

The tough statements come amid reports from Iran that as many as 41 American and British ships have arrived in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and are being monitored for any sign of attack against Afghanistan.

AFP reports:

Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney-General, Mr. John Ashcroft, said the country faced a ``very serious threat'' of additional terrorist attacks which could escalate if it launched retaliatory strikes for the September 11 attacks.

Speaking to CBS television, Mr. Ashcroft said: ``We believe that there is the likelihood of additional terrorist activity and it's our job to do whatever we can to disrupt it.''

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