ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani religious leaders leave Friday for Afghanistan, the Pakistani news agency reported. The delegation may be part of a new Pakistani initiative to open a dialogue with the ruling Taliban on a possible solution to the crisis over Osama bin Laden. (Read photo caption below)
The Pakistan government news agency said Thursday the delegation would fly aboard a special plane to the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, stronghold of the Taliban leadership, and return Friday night.
Although the dispatch did not say so, it appeared the delegation had the Pakistan government's approval because a special plane was being provided and because the visit was reported in advance by the state news agency.
The visit was announced as the Taliban's ambassador to Islamabad, Abdul Salam Zaeef, said a Sept. 20 decision by Afghan clerics urging bin Laden to leave Afghanistan voluntarily had been delivered to the alleged terrorist mastermind.
Bin Laden is the top suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist bombings in the United States, and Bush has demanded that the Taliban hand over him and his lieutenants, among other demands, or face retaliation.
The Taliban had said they couldn't find bin Laden. But Zaeef's remarks indicated the Taliban knew where he was and were in contact with him. It also appeared than bin Laden was still in Afghanistan.
The moves could signal a willingness by the Taliban to find a solution to the crisis and avoid American air strikes.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Protesters with a portrait of the father of Pakistan Qauid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah display the sign of peace at a rally in solidarity with the Pakistani government in Peshawar, Pakistan, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001. Rallies across Pakistan Thursday expressed solidarity with the international campaign against terrorism. Pakistan is cooperating with the U.S. in trying to track down Osama bin Laden, who is thought to be hiding in neighboring Afghanistan (AP Photo/John McConnico)
- Sep 27 5:19 AM ET