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From Ruined Stronghold, Taliban Launches Fading Battle Cry
SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Nov 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar's spokesman delivered what was ostensibly a battle cry for the embattled Islamic militia Wednesday, but at times his address appeared more like a requiem for a movement on its last legs, reported news agencies.
Syed Tayyab Agha told reporters that the Taliban had a duty to carry on its fight to implement its unique brand of Islam to the death.
But he started his press conference here in the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar province with a lengthy analysis of the circumstances which helped the Taliban seize power of more than 90% of Afghanistan after coming from nowhere in the mid-1990s.
He spoke of the lawlessness that pervaded much of the country after the brutal civil war between rival mujahideen factions and insisted that they had taken control of provinces only at the request of the people, despite the widespread rejoicing at their recent demise.
There have been reports that widespread executions, tortures and systematic rapes by the factions helped the Taliban rise to power as the group sought to stop the atrocities.
"This fighting... caused anarchy in the country and caused looting, killing and robbing of the innocent people of Afghanistan," he said.
"It was a time for responsible Muslim people to do something for the security of the people of Afghanistan.
"At that time, the Taliban Islamic movement started a movement against the robbers, thieves and whores besmirching Islam."
The Taliban was only able to wrest control of cities and the countryside "with the help of almighty Allah and the support of the nation of Afghanistan," he said.
"When peace and security was brought to Kandahar... people of other provinces saw the situation and requested Taliban forces enter their provinces.
"This movement felt they should do something for the people because it is their Islamic and religious duty."
Differences with the United States and other Western powers, which culminated in the current military assault, began over its program to implement its version of Shari'ah law.
But even though the regime's power has now shrunk to a few southern provinces its sense of duty to implement its program seems undiminished.
"The formation of the movement was not to get power but to bring Islamic law to our controlled areas. Still our responsibility remains on our shoulders."
Agha even had a word for the United States' role in the rise of the Taliban and its relationship with Osama bin Laden, now the world's most wanted man over his alleged role in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Bin Laden was regarded as an honored guest of the Taliban as he was "willing to give his blood" in the defense of Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1989.
"America was also helping not only Osama, but Muslims when they came to help in the jihad [struggle]," he said, referring to U.S. support of Afghan mujahideen and bin Laden during their fight against Soviet occupation.
It was the first time that Agha had made himself available to foreign journalists.
He played down suggestions that Omar's call for the destruction of the United States in a recent BBC interview was tantamount to a call to battle for all Muslims.
"This is not a destruction or breaking of America to be done by Afghans. We hope that the almighty Allah will break America and other foreign powers fighting against Afghans."
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