US President-elect Obama is considering new approaches to the war in Afghanistan, including talks with the Taleban. We’ve been in touch with the Taleban and they’ve agreed for a spokesman to take your questions on WHYS. We’re going to do this show as soon as we can so if you’ve got a question or point you would like to put to the Taleban, please leave it on this page or on WHYS after the show and we’ll get you involved.
12
Nov
08
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BBC World Have Your Say 
We’ve been in touch with the Taliban
…Wow… BBC is intense!
I’d like to hear the question asked: “What do you want?”
Not in a hostile way, or a rude, snubbing sort of way, but honestly, whats your deal, what do ‘you all’ want? Straight from the horses mouth, no spin from media, no spin from organizations, whats up? Whats the deal?
My questions:
1) Why was the Taliban so brutal to the people of Afghanistan…
2)Why did you kill people in the public stadiums of Kabul….
Dennis
Wow, this is impressive! Thank you for all the hard work by the WHYS team to secure an interview.
I would like to know if there is a way that they can live peacefully and respect the differing views of other people. Why can they not be tolerant? What would motivate them to stop the violence?
RE “Talk to the Taliban”
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——— Obviously must be fake Taliban infidels.
True Taliban would be scrounging around, beheading teachers, blowing up statues of Buddha, other infidel’s mosques, schools, hospitals, wells, burning books, blowing up wells, miscellaneous drive by shootings of civilians, dealing heroin, all while hiding behind women and children.
To what extent does the Taliban support the activities of Osama bin Laden and his organization? Does the Taliban feel that 9/11 was justified?
Talk to the talaban.
Evil people whoever they are. If the Talaban stop fighting and killing people then the Foreign Forces would go home. They know this but continue to kill and be killed, why, just evil people led by evil people. They dont deserve to remain on this Planet.
Why do Taliban men fear their women so much that they have to enslave them and treat them worse than their animals?
A two-part question. Would you negotiate in good faith? And what do you want?
My question is pretty straight, just what do you want? What is there to gain if you kill your own kinsmen in the name of Islam?
Do you have a cause like the Palestinians?
Wow, are they legit? I’m suprised they would be willing to do that!!! I’d like to ask what do you want like so many have suggested, but also what does they see as a FAIR resolution.
-Anthony, LA, CA
p.s. also ask them where Bin Ladin is, hehe.
My question is this:
You guys think we can get you all together for a group photo, you know, for old times sake?
Useless exercise. yalibans don’t exist anymore. They are part of al-Qaeda.
After two tours, I will tell you what they want
ABSOLUTE POWER OVER EVERYTHING AND THE POWER TO DO / CHOOSE WHATEVER THEY WANT.
Theses people kill their own families over the slightest precieved error, age makes no differance
8 – 80 male/female. Anything than absolute dedication to them is punishable by death.
What do you as the role of women in the jihad?
My question’s are:
Why do you use children to behead?
Why do you blow up schools killing innocent children?
@ Black Flag
LOL!!! I would love to see the WHYS team and the Taliban taking a REAL photo, smiling with AK-47’s and tea in hand!
Another thing I was wondering is how does the brutal and extream treatment of women fit in with the teachings of the Quran?
-Anthony, LA, CA
Wow, I feel a little excited and scared at the same time just thinking about this…….. 😀 Talking to the Taliban. I am not sure I could muster up the courage myself…..This is a great amazing!
My questions:
Like people above, I would like to know exactly what they want. Do they want everyone to convert to their religion or would they be just as happy if everyone of a different faith was dead.
What could we (America) do to facilitate peace?
Do they believe that there would ever be a way for them to live peacefully with people of other religions?
I am also very interested in knowing why they believe what women should be treated like second class citizens. I would be interested in hearing straight from a source some sort of “justification” for that reasoning as well.
(I know those sound kind of pointed but I mean them in the most polite way!) 🙂
Oops, I left off achievement in my previous post!
LOL!!! I would love to see the WHYS team and the Taliban taking a REAL photo, smiling with AK-47’s and tea in hand!
Anthony, lol, I had to set down my water on that one, nearly spat it all over my desk hahaha.
Given that Muslims living in Western countries that currently are fighting the Taliban are far wealthier and have more social, religious, and political freedom than if they lived under Taliban rule, why should anyone have any faith in the political skills of the Taleban leaders? After all, it was them who felt it worthwhile to give sanctuary to Al Qaeda which led to the invasion of Afghanistan.
So much for open dialogue. My comment / question was removed, apparently because it was politically incorrect. Fortunately, I saved a screenshot of it as it was awaiting “comment moderation.” You can view it at the following address: http://bobmccarty.com/2008/10/31/bbc-radio-offers-chance-to-talk-to-the-taliban/
Two parts, really: 1. Do you support the imposition of Sharia law throughout the world? 2. Do you believe it is your duty to kill anyone who stands in the way of imposing Sharia law throughout the world?
Currently you have a policy of killing in the name of religion, but as there are many Muslims who are not represented by your particular religious ideology, and who in fact have been victims of it, aren’t the Taleban really just killing in the name of politics?
Why doesn’t islam quit living in the 7th century and join the rest of us in the 21st century? Why can’t you recognize that some things in islamic teaching is just plain wrong? Such as accepting that the world is not flat and the Sun, Moon and Stars DO NOT revolve around Earth?
After you kill or convert all of the infidels in the world, then what? No one left to send you foreign aid, no one left to buy your drugs, no one left to manufacture weapons, cell phones etc. etc. etc. Then what?
What is your primary motivation for fighting?
Who are your enemies besides the US?
What would cause you to stop fighting, specifically?
I’ve heard that the word “Taliban” can mean many different things. Can you describe what you refer to yourselves as, what others refer to you as, and what the difference is between the Taliban now compared to 2001?
How can you reconcile your harsh tactics and methods with the notion that Allah is merciful? Do kaffir deserve any mercy under any circumstance?
Have you ever been to the US, Europe, Japan, or China, and if so, what did you like and dislike about them?
Do you perceive the West as engaging in a war against Muslims, despite the fact that you kill Muslims too? What about the many instances where Westerners have fought to defend Muslims, such as in Bosnia?
There are millions of Muslims around the world that live peacefully and prosperously alongside members of other religions. I have known many myself. Why can’t you do this as well?
Why do you feel violence is the only way to make people live like proper Muslims? Surely, if your reasons are so good for living the way you do, then you can convince people peacefully the way that many religions do – why is this not done?
As has been said – What, EXACTLY, do you want?
Why do you use the Islamic faith to commit inhuman acts?
Ask them this:
Your ultimate goal is to remake your world as you see fit, since it is along religious lines that you want to do this, what evidence do you have that God has chosen you to do this over all the other people in the world? Is there something special about your faith that gets you noticed by God? I know there are plenty of people on this Earth more pious than you, mightn’t they be right and you be wrong? If it’s the message you carry that sets you apart, do you think it could best be delivered with a megaphone or an AK-47?
Q1: Is there any way you can live side by side and in peaceful cooperation with the West?
Q2: Are you willing to take part in a democratic election?
Q3: More personally, as a practising (but very imperfect) Buddhist, Why, O why, did you have to blow up those beautiful, ancient, and meaningful statues valued by a religion that makes harmlessness it’s highest priority?
@ Hotoffthepress
We don’t want to ask any of those questions about Obama until after he is elected president. That’s when you want to find out the facts about our next commander in chief! 😉
My question for the Taliban:
You obviously feel aggrieved because of your perception of history and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. So, could you tell us if there is anything we can do to make you feel less threatened?
Yo, Taliban; you’re history!! Us bad boys here in the US are kickin’ yo butts!!
Oh, and just so you know Obama ( your hero ) will lose this election.
My name is Richard Neal Huffman, and I approve this message.
Author of, Dreams In Blue: The Real Police
LOL! I can’t believe some of you people are nieve enough to believe there will ever be any reconcilliation with these throwbacks! Make them feel less threatened? Are you serious?!
Here are my questions:
1. Can you hear the hellfire missile approaching before it actually blows your head clean out of your a$$?
2. Will you wave hello to my friend Steve (5th Special Forces Group deployed) for me before he blows your brains out from a couple hundred yards away? Thanks.
I haven’t forgotten 9/11, and I’ll never forgive these animals for it either. Some of you people need to wake up and join reality.
Drug is one of the sources of income in Taliban controlled areas in Afghanistan. Why do the Taliban turn a blind idea to its cultivation although Islam prohibits its production and trade?
Is drug also used as a weapon to fight the West as its use is aimed to weaken its population?
How strong are the links between Taliban and Iran?
How influential is the Taliban in Pakistan politics?
What assurances can the Taliban give the West that they won’t support terrorism and surrender internationally wanted Al Qaeda terrorists who are enjoying its protection?
Can you guarantee the safety of all Afghans in case international troops leave Afghanistan?
Who are the main suppliers of the weapons with which you fight inside and outside Afghanistan?
Jennifer –
Now that is great for you to admit that Obama will be elected.
Would dear John talk to the Taleban or just carpet bomb all of Afghanistan? Start a new war in Iran? Would he be realistic in knowing that to bring peace there is only one way to do it?
Or would he, like so many of this world suspect – just fight more and more wars?
To what extent do you consider yourself and the Taliban to be responsible for the 9-11 attacks on the US?
Why did you join the Taliban?
How best can Western Nations help the people of Afghanistan?
Who would benefit and how would they benefit from the removal of all Western troops from Afghanistan?
If the Taliban could directly and violently attack the people of the US or Europe, would they do it and why?
Why can’t we ask questions about Islam? Why are they being removed? Why do we have to respect them when they want to kill us?
I would ask the representative only one question: “Do you speak for all Taliban?”
Of course, an affirmative answer suggests a lack of candidness, while a negative answer suggests some useful information may be gleaned from the conversation.
All groups have strengths and weaknesses, the Taliban isn’t the exception. Successful negotiation always depends upon knowing what the opposition believes its own weaknesses to be; but not allowing them know that you know. Gaining the knowledge necessary for negotiation always starts with a first conversation.
g
Jered ~ Your list of comprehensive questions is fantastic. I really hope we can get some answers.
Jack’s Smirking Revenge ~ Your reaction and approach are exactly the reason these wars have never stopped. We haven’t opened a real dialogue to understand their distress. Yes, many innocents have lost their lives but time and again we see that violence begets violence. We all think we know what the Taliban’s answers will be without ever asking the questions. I don’t condone their reprehensible behavior and I have the same skepticisms as most other people but it’s time to attempt a new approach. There is no harm in at least trying to stop the blood shed.
Question for Taliban:
How does it feel when you wake up each day in NW Pakistan and realize that someone has stolen all your New Order albums?
Re Taliban:
——- What have these imposters to say for themselves?
How long does it take for medievel throwbacks to hold a pow-wow to establish a dialogue?
1. Where exactly is Osama bin Ladin right now?
2. Where exactly is the largest concentration of Taliban and al Qaida forces?
3. Would you like a bite of my bologna sandwich?
4. Could you please repeat your mission statement for the stupid Westerners who believe they can talk you out of your jihad and adherence to strict Sharia law?
Why does the Taliban support the execution of people who’s only crime is teaching young girls ?.
My son is insisting on wearing a burka for Halloween. Does this mean he is gay?
Do women who are suicide bombers get to have 72 virgin guys in heaven?
Hey Taliban ,
If you were givin the opportunity to live the way you want ( under your sharia or whatever ) without the possibility of ever leaving Afghanistan /Pakistan, Under the condition you will be Killed if you cross these borders, BUT you Will be left Alone by the rest of the world ( NO CONTACT , OR AID ) If you follow this simple rule,
Would you take this deal?
Comanche Indians controlled huge territories of American, they were great fighters and had a strong vibrant culture, and any compromise they made meant the end of their culture, which depended on war and its spoils and their dominance of their neighbors. Looking back on how history has unfolded, there is no way the Comanches could hold back the Western Expansion.
Much of the world has been transformed by information technology. Isn’t your culture dependent on stopping this tidal wave of communication and technology?
The Coalition has been talking to the Taliban for months. I heard it on the World Service.
Why do they worship a prophet who was a lunatic? The guy was a bandit, a slaver, a liar, a pedophile and a murderer on top of being illiterate. He was almost certainly mentally ill in a way that would get him locked up in an asylum in any decent country. How do they think following the teachings of such a person will lead to anything other than the violence and hardship that has plagued any society that embraces Islam in its true form?
Do they realise how evil they actually are?
BTW, don’t the 72 virgins they are promised have a say in the matter? Women are not possessions to be ordered about or given as gifts.
Oh and one more thing. If women are forced to cover their beauty because Muslim men are too barbaric to control their desires wouldn’t it be better just to make all of the men wear blindfolds and let the women run things? You guys have certainly cocked things up so it can’t help but be an improvement. You could get seeing eye dogs which would help you with your canine phobia as well.
Oh, Venessa, thanks for your compliment, but I don’t think that Jack’s Smirking Revenge’s sentiment is too far off the mark. It’s not like they ever tried to understand their victims. However, it’s worth looking into especially as the makeup of the “Taliban” has shifted in my understanding from religiously motivated people to something more focused on the drug industry, and as other muharib like them are failing in Iraq. Perhaps the current “Taliban” truly are different people with different motivations, or at least different enough that eventually some kind of change can be affected. At the very least it will illustrate exactly the callousness of some of these people – did you see the CNN International interview of the Bali bombers? No regrets or remorse, they laughed and hoped for more killings by their compatriots.
Nothing the “West” has “done” to them warrants the horrors they’ve inflicted upon their victims, who are overwhelmingly not “‘Westerners.” Hopefully though, understanding their motivations will make it easier to dismiss their recruitment propaganda, and possibly there are some diplomatic measures that can be taken to make fewer enemies and more allies out of the more moderate members. For instance, the lack of infrastructure in the region makes farming difficult, leading to unemployment or insufficient employment, and therefore the Taliban and associated drug trade become attractive. Understanding local conditions can help you avoid making enemies you don’t need to, allies where you can, and defeat those that are left that are truly beyond reproach.
Oh, and Bert, it’s not just the girls that have been killed for going to school.
Mmmmkay Vanessa…you try to negotiate with them all you want. I hope you aren’t dumb enough to try to do it in person, lest I see you getting your head cut off by these animals on LiveLeak or something. Having peace and undertanding with people like these is a pacifist pipedream.
What you don’t understand is this: people like the Taliban aren’t happy unless they have something to be mad about. Get it? If we removed every single U.S. troop from the middle east and every ounce of western influence as well, guess what? They would STILL hate us and would still find an excuse to attack us.
Get over it. There will never be world peace. Ever. Its good idea for a bumper sticker though…Our only hope is to kill them before they kill us. If I could have it my way, we’d have picked up where the Russians left off and there would be nothing left of Afghanistan.
Violence begets violence…[rolls eyes]. Thats the way the world works. Make sure you’re on the winning team.
Who is the greater threat to you?
The USA or Russia?
Willll you ever give up bin Laden?
Will you reach out and attack the world again?
What about your struggle in Palestine ,Chechnya and Kashmir,who will continue the fight their?.
Will you accept tourists from western countries once there is peace in Afghanistan?
As a Muslim woman from Trinidad, West Indies I cannot identify with your brand of Islam.
You are not helping Muslims and Islam you are hurting us. Your treatment of women is appalling and why do you have to respond to everything with violence? You have shown the world that bullying and intimidation is the only way you know to establish control. You appear to follow your leaders blindly without questioning their motives.
Some Muslims may not criticize you because they consider you as “brothers”. I don’t.
If you want people to learn about and accept Islam as their way of life, well you’ve gone about the wrong way. Is it possible for you to change your modus operandi?
Would you be content to be allocated an autonomous territory within Afghanistan, where you could practice your lifestyle together with those who wish to join you? And, if so, would you be willing to give guarantees that you would not use that territory for launching attacks on those who do not share your views?
And, by the way:
I have sometimes observed that, when concentrating very hard, one can actually discern traces of the ladies’ features through the gauzey part of the burka; a hint of nose, a smattering of eye, the occasional moustache…And my question is: Given your abhorrence of the exposed female visage, would it not better suit your purposes if the burka were worn with the gauzey part at the back of the ladies’ heads?
Or do you feel this might adversely affect respiration?
@ASL; totally agree with you there…let the fellas wear the blindfolds.
frivolity aside, here’s my questions…
Would you admit that your frenzied hatred of women corresponds to the fact that you were abandoned /orphaned during the time of the russian invasion, and were therefore brought up in madrasas WITHOUT mothers, aunts, sisters or grannies?
don’t you think that if you regrouped and reorganised you could present yourselves as the WORLD’S legal opium/morphine suppliers, thereby ensuring regulated trade, and could then begin the business of rebuilding your once proud country?
and : whats this obsession with guns guns more guns and even MORE guns??
So when are they going to answer questions? I am waiting
Every Taliban man has a mother, sister and may be even daughter. The womanbashing, total disrespect and sheer CRUELTY is beyond my comprehension. Don’t you guys ever fall in love? Don’t you ever have feelings for injustice done to your mother or your sister? Don’t you care for your daughters? Dealing in heroine and guns in your hand seem to have taken away all the decency, and all the teachings of Koran have no meaning to you. All I am waiting for is muslim women taking to the streets and disowning you as a backword movement which has NOTHING to do with Islam and decent people (but I think muslim women are so terrorised that it will take another 50 years befor they will pluck the currage and start thinking for themselves and decide to defend their Afghanistan sisters)
Dear Asl,
Your comments are entirely unnecessary, there is no need for such offensive language- the BBC really should be monitoring this. If you want to hurl insults I suggest you go onto the Sun newspaper forum were it may be appreciated.
I suggest you learn some Islamic history- and if you are too narrow minded to do that perhaps you should have a look at our own British history- only 500 years ago the English Royalty were marrying children off at ages as young as 7/8 years old. Infact Henry VIII paraded a baby Elizabeth I naked to ambassadors with a view to marriage…
Considering that the Muslim prophet lived In 600 AD-the the question as to whether he was a Paedophile really must be reconsidered…
In terms of your other insults I dont have the time to go through them one by one- however I will be contacting the BBC- such comments, are non constructive but simply amount to uncivilised name calling. Please, read and learn about what you’re passionate opinions are actually baseed on, maybe then you’ll realise how untenable they are.
I agree with Samia. No groups of peoples have a perfect history. What matters is the here and now.
Furthermore, Asl, your arguments reinforce terrorist propaganda that the West is fighting a religious war against Islam despite the fact that terrorist units (who are mostly foreigners) primarily avoid Western military forces in favor of targeting Muslim civilians. Most of the people that Western forces are trying to defend and benefit in the Mideast and around the world are Muslims.
Referring to terrorists mujahideen strengthens their identity as holy warriors, which is hardly an insult to them. There is nothing holy about putting a suicide vest on a six year old child. and sending him into battle. They are an enemy to all good people of all faiths – they’ve attacked other Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and many members of obscure religions that most people know almost nothing about.
There are so many questions to ask the Taliban but I suppose that the two that come immediately to mind are:
1. After the disinformation and feigned guilt you fed the world when we asked you to surrender bin-Laden how can anyone ever trust the Taliban?
2. Why would a sexually repressive society as the Taliban and Islam itself want to commit murder of innocents with suicide attacks and expect to have sex with 70 black eyed virgins? How many of the Taliban leaders have sent their son’s off to this “great reward”?
Please answer both question directly. making false recriminations and throwing guilt elsewhere will be see as defying God himself and an admission that the Taliban are Satan’s spawn.
WHYS…I do not expect that anyone will ask my impertinent non-politically correct questions but Ii was compelled to submit it.
Well, thanks to Mark, Ros and Team for pulling this off.
Now if we, supposedly enlightened folk, would simply put aside our childishness, follow the lead of WHYS and talk sensibly we might see a glimmer of hope.
Forget getting the digs in people. Lay a small stone for hope.
I am so proud of WHYS.
Do they seem themselves an Afghan Government in hiding or part of a more general Islamic army.
Saudi Arabia home land to your lord does not seem concerned about whether your ancestors exist? or these are counter methods? Now that young osama is being denied assylum in various countries – i would not allow my sister to get married to such bad blood. full of demons. Taleban, Taleban. Afghan.
My question is ? what is the latest strategy in the hope for success!!
Everyone seems to be ready to talk with the eternal foe and terrorist these days. Whatever happened to the Bush dogma of ‘we will not talk or negotiate with the enemy’?
Jack’s Smirking Revenge ~
Wow you really missed the point of my comment. Glad you have an open mind. Roll your eyes all you want, I said nothing about never going after them with military force nor did I advocate negotiations. I said an open dialogue, you know, a discussion. Talking does not mean you are conceding. It’s hard to believe everyone in the Taleban is beyond reproach and I realize there will never be world peace but simply blowing away a country does not solve a problem. You may not give a second thought to killing millions of innocent people in your grand scheme to blow the Taleban away but it does disturb me and I suspect it would also bother the Afghans. Perhaps we should just blow up the whole world and get it over with. Who’s on the winning team then?
Yup, last time I checked doing the same thing over and over again doesn’t give way to different results.
I suggest you learn some Islamic history
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——- Indeedy, in the aftermath of 9/11 as I sought to learn more about Islam, the bonus was that I learned more about the Abrahamic 3 faiths and the world in general.
It’s plain bone headed to apply 3rd millennium snooty nosed principles upon ancient cultures. Of course we are restricted by time to our own understanding, but history is more than just recitation of rote dates and facts, there’s a rich context that binds it to our own experience.
There’s often a modern bias that because of all of our bling and techo toys, that we are somehow superior people. That’s just ancient hubris reinventing itself.
Some things never change but the new faces.
Dear Ros,
I took a look a Hotoffthepress’s post on October 31st at 4.52pm, and his website, which as matter of course you should check out just for general information gathering purposes. If the BBC really did censor it, then I don’t think that was necessary at all. He needs to be opened up to challenges from all who post here, and held to account by others, who if they so wish question his reasons for making such ridiculous accusations, even if made in jest. But I think it better for him to be heard than suppressed and for him to use it as ammunition every time he wishes to say something that could be construed as being highly provocative, or taken with a pinch of salt depending on your point of view upon the matter in hand.
I think most here would like to see his small town, village busybody and chatterbox mentality on full view and make up their own minds upon his apparent narrow thought processes and mindset, that he takes great pride in professing to be a voice of the people and all that entails. He’s harmless. Treat him in such a manner now and in the future, and he’ll probably go away. Even if he doesn’t, no big deal. He feeds of the oxygen of publicity and will just bleat on in unceremonious fashion if censored and comments are stifled in the way he says they have been.
Leave this or delete. As you see fit. Either way he doesn’t bother me and I would be prepared to bet on it, not many others in reality, be they from any side of the debate at all.
I leave it in your more than capable hands.
Kind regards,
Matthew
WHAT is necessary for you folks to live peacefully in the world?
How about suggesting calling a truce and ceasefire similar to that at Christmas time in World War 1 when the Germans and British left their trenches and positions and agreed to cease hostilities over the Christmas period.
This would be different in that both sides were Christian in faith and belief. But the Germans and British played football with one another, and for that all too brief moment found common ground between opposing forces.
I suggest the Taliban Titans versus the Coalition Conquerors in a fully fledged football match to be played on neutral ground, and suitable spoils be passed on to the victor.
Both sides must enter into the true spirit of the occasion.
Football hopefully would be the winner. Leave aside politics and the conflict as it is and just fully enter into the moment. Something might just come of it.
Infact we have to begin with this point before starting war on terror with pride. Now War on terror may be stoped, as Talaban have publuc support in Afhanastan, we may measure there roots by way of allowing them to contest the election.
As far as US puppet Karzai Govt achievements are concerned they are nothing but develovement of Drug fields & criminal society.
(Opposite to Dear) Talibans
I would like to know how you came into existence and who helped you in your rise?
Ramesh
@samia
‘Considering that the Muslim prophet lived In 600 AD-the the question as to whether he was a Paedophile really must be reconsidered…’
Jesus lived 600 years before Mohamed and Budha 500 before that, yet neither one lived the vile life that Mohamed did. Neither did anything that would bring shame upon their followers.
500 years ago the British King may have been lopping off the heads of a few wives and marrying off thier children but in this century we are not holding them up as Gods or the prophets there of.
About the question..What is there to talk about? Could we even consider giving Afghanistan back to them? What would happen to the schools, the musieum, the ‘collaberators’ etc.
George Bush is now on a relentless pursuit of Osama. If he is successful it will go a long way to securing him some respect in the history books.
The drone technology is improving by the month, and I hear that many Taliban an al Queda are now building tunnels; I assume they are going underground so they won’t be spotted from the air. Do you believe there is anywhere Osama will be able to hide in… let’s say, three years?
My questions:
Why it is necessary to treat women they way they do? How does that help their “cause”?
How do they value and express any kind of respect to women not allowing them to be educated?
My starting point is that Afghanistan’s future is a matter for Afghans to decide – peacefully or through violence – not foreigners; that the moment the Western coalition broadened its mission to extend beyonfd capturing bin Laden and his deputies they lost the better part of their legitimacy; that nobody is obliged to accept as valid elections held under and organised by an occupying power; and that, in the circumstances, the Taliban is perfectly entitled to fight those who have invaded and occupied their country.
My questions:
1. What are your objectives? What are you fighting to achieve for Afghanistan, and why?
2. Do you claim to represent the majority of Afghans? If so, why should the rest of the world accept you as more representative of the Afghan people than the ‘elected’ government?
3. If the US and its allies made you the following offer, ‘Hand Osama bin Laden over to us, and we’ll leave Afghanistan’, how would you respond?
4. Bin Laden and Al Quaeda murdered 3,000 people in New York. Do you regard him as a terrorist who should be brought to justice, or as a hero of Islam?
5. We often hear what the leaders of the US and Britain think of the Taliban; what do you think of George Bush, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown?
6. Do you think Christian aid workers should be working in Afghanistan? Do you believe they are spreading Christianity? Do you think they deserve to be killed, as several have been, for allegedly spreading Christianity?
7. Why do you think the US and its allies are in your country?
8. Are you prepared to talk to the US and its allies?
My Questions. Are you a terrorits? What are your Objectives? Are you friends to Terrorists? Are you Islamics Movement? Who are for America,Christians or President BUSH.
Has your opinion of America changed in anyway since Barack Obama has been elected as the new president of the USA? And a sub question – do you care at all?
Do you consider your country to be under occupation by foreign forces at the moment?
Do you think the Coalition’s mission is misplaced and ill thought out, but under new stewardship (Obama) and a reconstructed mission, whereby clear evidence could be witnessed as being humanitarian based, would you therefore maybe give consideration to drawing away from fighting with Coalition Forces and assist the process at a certain level. This may give you a stake in becoming involved in a future administration of Afghanistan government.
I would like to know of the Taliban: Do you think that violence is the correct answer and “if so” are we (meaning those opposed to you) justified in using violence to eliminate you from the face of the earth?
The Taliban have thrown acid on school girls in Afghanistan. Do you feel more like men now that you know you can terrorize innocent girls?
To achieve the above you would have to be prepared to re-examine your philosophy towards the west, towards women’s rights, human right in general, education, towards foreigners, towards all general forms of entertainment no matter your opinion and disapproval. It’s called co-existence and so you must learn to respect others wishes to a certain extent. If a genuine give and take stance could be established on both sides then it may bring about a major revelation in current world politics. America and the west would have to ensure your right to exist under similar circumstances. If that were the case and it was monitored and overseen by agreement in honest fashion by the United Nations. And all political parties, relevant bodies and organizations, with no adverse or immoral interference from America, the UK and all others currently stationed in Afghanistan at present, would the Taliban be prepared to sit down and establish a constructive dialogue with the West that may produce a peaceful outcome. Any signed agreement would be binding on either side, and legal proceedings could be brought to bare upon a transgressor or a proven misdemeanour of anykind, that will incur the harshest penalty upon any guilty party once proved.
Cont’d from post at 5.16pm
And any legal case against the West or Taliban would be subject to the strictest examination by a wholly independent court, subject to real and comprehensive media scrutiny and not be a private prosecution hidden behind closed doors. If the outcome saw Western powers being irrefutably proved as the guilty party or vice versa then so be it and either side would have to suffer the consequences under the circumstances. Justice must be justice and not in any instance be western justice of any type, and the same goes for the Taliban. This would allow for a degree of honesty and transparency which this world sorely needs more than ever right now!
Ask the Taliban:
1. Do you want peace?
2. What are you willing to do and what are you willing to stop doing to get peace?
Canada
Hi WHYSers!
Is Osama Bin Laden dead, or alive?
And, why is it that the CIA seem unable to confirm that?
Or, do they really know and are just leading the public on?
I wouldn’t ask those scumbags a damn thing. What a joke for the BBC to do this. It reeks of a ratings-only stunt.
@ Brett,
By the way, I think your comments/ questions at the top are spot on! I will have to agree with you on the BBC’s intensity! In Jamaica, the popular expression, (if it has not already changed by now!) is: ‘It sell off!!’ Could not agree more!
Along with others who have posted I too would like to know:
1. What do they want?
2. Why all the intolerance?
3. What’s up with their horrible treatment of women from honor killings to dictating their attire?
Perhaps another way to gain some insight is to ask what is their overall objective and what do they expect to accomplish?
Instead of asking from Talaban, USA & EU suppose to tell what do they want?
According to my calculation USA & EU want to stop, hot water dreem of Central Asia & China as Pakistan’s ports are very ideal for export of Central Asia’s OIl & China’s Domestic Exports.
A largest tunnel is under construction between Pakistan & China, the main purpose of this tunnel is revolution in world economy, with a big chunk for China.
Digging the oil in USA may not be worth while even for US market compairing to available competative available oil market.
Selling of Atomic technology to India in violation of IAEA rules & regulation’s is a part of the game, on the other hand 274 Million Pounds Space technology package from Birtish is part of the game too.
Infact USA & EU are prepairing India against China. No doubt each & every one is fear from growing Chinese Economy. Any war between China & India will hold both Economies, this is what we need.
RE “” Taliban “”
———————————————————————————————–
———— Few more questions:
1. Has there ever been any world scholar from their ranks?
2. Has there ever been an Olympic or World sports champion from their ranks?
3. World population is near the 7 billion mark. Have they ever calculated how many of those are infidels, how many schools and hospitals need to be blown up, and how many folks need to have their heads sawed off before the world is the way they want it?
hello everyone,
I have a simple question to ask:’Is Osama Bin Laden’ still alive?If he is alive,where is he??LOL
Thank you
Abhinav Khnal
my question is from the International community
dont you think that the U.S is not here to secure the Afghans, they are helping the warlords that killed, massacred, plundered and looted the Afghan Civilian in the past years after Russian withdrawl. Why these warlords are given share in the new government? by warlords i mean the 7 leaders during the so called jihad time
My second question is from the Taliban, whats there aim and purpose is, Dont they think that they are used like in the past they were used by Pakistan and CIA, DONT they think that they are used like stooges, and left by there bosses when they are of no worth for them?
Dr. Abdul is a professor who contributes his write-ups to my blog. Many readers have severely criticized Dr. Abdul for his “extreme” views against anything but Muslim. On the other hand, Dr. Abdul complains that the mainstream media & governments do not allow him to express his views.
I’ve not only allowed, but even encouraged the “radicals” & the “racists” to express themselves through my blog. Sometimes I myself get concerned over what some readers remark as “hatred” articles. Still, i believe that it’s much safer to allow the “extremists” express their views online and listen to them seriously.
There are many people who engage in sadistic & terrorist activities simply because they were not heard.
Divas from Nepal
http://drdivas.wordpress.com/
RE “‘ Taliban””
—————————————————————————————————-
——– Reported by the beeb that they are the likely kidnappers of an Iranian diplomat.
Story still developing so it’s unclear whether the kidnapping is political or for ransom. The Taliban apparently do both.
I cut before and after pic of the Giant 1000’ Buddha rock mountain statue they destroyed which I posted on my board in my little home office. I remember reading about their criminal activities on the Afghan people prior, and knew after the Buddha incident, we and the rest fo the world were going to have to tangle with these misanthropes.
Interesting how the original Islamic settlers left the statue intact for these thousand or so years it existed.
Not the Taliban.
this is a new world…change is the language,i think President Obama talking to the Taleban..should be the first step not the last step…
Iran envoy was abducted in Pakistan. Areas close to Peshawar – the biggest city in north-west Pakistan – are known to be Taleban and al-Qaeda strongholds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7726107.stm
1) How much is the Taliban involved in the killing and kidnapping of foreigners, especially diplomats and aid workers in Pakistan and Afghanistan?
2) The US forces have so far failed to put an and to your movement. What do yo attribute this to? Is it
a) your fighting skills,
b) the geography of the region where you operate,
c) the number and quality of your followers,
d) your faith which gives you more determination to fight,
3) Are you ready for a compromise with the West and the Afghan government for a durable peace in Afghanistan and the whole region from Iran to Pakistan?
Yes for sure …and I think we should realise that American policy towards the Taliban has been very contradictory. Regards their abuse of women one senator is quoted as saying ” we can live with that”…as an oil deal was being proposed .
We are there for our own self interest …..if we try and impose change we will get this very reaction . but then this is the way the world changes ..its a paradox .
Ideally ..and of course there is no ideal…we should set a good example . bring social justice to our world and in time they will follow through.
Nothing works better than a good example …….hence why Reagan had to ‘destroy’ the Nicaraguan revolution
What about the USA give you the same money they did to throw out the Russians, to throw out the Americans!
Sounds good to me!
Hi,
My questions to Taleban are:
1) Why the world is afraid of your philosophy?
2) Why have you extended your war to Pakistan while Pakistan is an independent country, not the part of Afghanistan, where you can continue fighting your war?
3) I’m afraid you are indirectly helpful to US agenda of weakening the region. Did you ever ponder over that?
Muhammad Asim Munir
Gujranwala, Pakistan.
@ Questions for today’s Taliban Representatives.
The fact that you can find English speaking, connected individuals to offer their comments is a filtration system all of its own.
Here are a few questions.
1) Who is your spiritual leader? Who do you take advice and counsel from in matters of religion?
2) who is your political leader? Who do you take counsel from in matters of economics, disputes, and protection?
Don’t be alarmed if the same person is named, and it is a name you have never heard of before.
3) What is more important, “God” or “Country”. If your spiritual leader called for war against your own country, would you obey? If your political leaser called for war against your spiritual leader, would you rise to your duty call?
Then have two more “Taliban” on tomorrow and find completely different answers to most of the question you ask today. That is why no one with a non-tribal based ideology can “win” in places throughout the Middle East. You have to throw away everything that you know and that you value and start from scratch in order to understand these people.
I will be listening . . .
I wonder why the Taleban treat their animals better than they treat their women?
And as others have asked: Why kill innocent people who may be in the targeted area? Doesn’t it bother you at all that you kill innocent children? And if you really believe in a God the Creator, how can you justify killing for that creator?
It has the scent of psychosis.
Some have suggested that the Taleban is struck in the 7th Century, don’t you think it’s time to join the modern world and leave the 7th Century behind? And regarding those 70-something virgins- do the Muslim women get 70 or so male virgins when they are martyred?
John
Portland, Oregon
@ To anyone
Why kill innocent people who may be in the targeted area? Doesn’t it bother you at all that you kill innocent children?
Why would you single out the Taleban for that question?
Isn’t the answer… collateral damage is regrettable but acceptable in a war? At least that is the answer we get from our own leaders.
We really need to get that beam out of our own eye.
I would also like to know, “how many miles per gallon a camel gets?” How do they feel about the West giving aid and weapons to a tribal leader that their spiritual leaders had declared a fatwa against? If people are participating in these “immoral act” (such as singing, dancing, not wearing the appropriate attire, getting themselves raped, drawing cartoons)are they any less “innocent” then the soldier carrying a gun?
Again, you have to throw away everything logical and the west would consider “sensible” when trying to find answer to your inner most questions about this culture. That is what happens when Church is allowed to rule the state. When the citizens are condition to accept reality on “faith” alone, lots of weird and irrational thought streams emerge.
Sorry, Ros… anyone who would destroy the Buddhas of Bamyan fits my definition of pure evil, and there are too many other productive things to do between 10 and 11 this morning than listen to an apologist.
Just a few questions:
1. Do you have any “real” leaders or spokesmen?
2. If so, please accept this generous gift of GPS devices, to help you and your Talib leaders more easily find your way around the countryside.
3. And, please, pass out the extra GPS devices to your Talib friends and relations.
4. Oh, and don’t forget to give OBL and his close companions a few of these, too – we want everyone to share in this gift.
5. Just what threat did millenia-old stone Buddhas present to the Talib?
6. Were the stone Buddhas armed to defend themselves against the Talib offensive?
7. Is there any place in particular the Talib like to frequent? Any special gathering place?
8. Would you please reference the passage in the Quran that blesses the cultivation and distribution of opium and heroin?
9. Would the Prophet (SAS) be proud of the Talib?
10. Are your mothers proud of you?
Why kill innocent people who may be in the targeted area? Doesn’t it bother you at all that you kill innocent children?
Selena, study what the French Resistance did when occupied by the Germans?
@Patrick
Are you likening the Taleban to the French Resistance?
Lets look to the positive within the negative here . The crash we are only at the beginning of will herald in a new relationship between all of us …we dont live in a vacuum..and so the choice will be either world war or world peace .
Our liberal notions of peace through the ” free market ” have been dashed on the rocks of history.
We can either learn the lessons of history or repeat them . As in chemistry a weaker solution will be drawn in by the stronger .
For the sake of all our children let us make that decision ”right now ” today!!
When we become the solution to equality , poverty .and environmental destruction….then all backward mediaeval thinking will loose it momentum and reason d’etre.
Only when we play the hand of duplicity and exploitation do we give credibility to the likes of the Taliban .
they are claiming,
they are true muslim,
but there is place of insurgency in islam,
where from they have taken this idea?
Minor and innocent girls student were sprayed acid,
in this way their liife has been destroyed,
whether islam permit such heinous act?
by suicide attack,
good number of civillan has been killed,
tell me its justification,
in the light of islamic principles?
Why kill innocent people who may be in the targeted area? Doesn’t it bother you at all that you kill innocent children?
I simply answered the question. The French resistance did in the name of freedom. So would Hamas and Hezbollah. So do the insurgency. So did the IRA. So do the occupational forces in Iraq
Re: “this is a new world…change is the language,i think President Obama talking to the Taleban..should be the first step not the last step…”
President Elect Obama just needs to invite members of the Taleban here for a slumber party! They can discuss the new change ™ movement and braid each other’s hair! 😉
____
I have another question for the Taleban. I’d like to know what you sought to accomplish by spraying girls in the face with acid? Is it more important for things to be your way even if you have to bully and harm people to get them to comply? Do you think actions like that will win people over especially when they are blatant intimidation tactics?
The Taliban are 180 degrees out of everything that we hold precious and valuable. We are truely idealogical enimies. We believe in freedom for all, tollerance, and country before religion, and religion before family. If we are to defeat them, we must first understand them. that requires talking
There are only 2 ways to destroy ideological enemies. 1 is to commit genocide on them. They must be irraticated completely. The second way is to overwhelm them and their culture with your own.
I hope someone asked him, would they accept a referendum on what the people want ‘ ie as in their return or not .
They could be allowed their own overseers to moderate the referendum .
Surely this would be a fair way to advance things …but somehow I think I can guess what their answer would be ……
Dwight From Cleveland
November 13, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Then have two more “Taliban” on tomorrow and find completely different answers to most of the question you ask today. That is why no one with a non-tribal based ideology can “win” in places throughout the Middle East. You have to throw away everything that you know and that you value and start from scratch in order to understand these people.
Ahh, no, Dwight. Their replies were exact echoes of everything that they have ever said before, and everything that their supporters say about them all over the internet. (“Shaykh Osama this” and “Shaykh Osama that” – bullarky) These people have a very unified response to anyone who asks them anything.
It is strange to me as a Shia Muslim that these people lie through the skin of their teeth with a straight face and then turn around and villify me for “lying” every time that I say “la ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah” or something else that sounds sound and Islamic. Whatever. Take your accursed accusations of taqiyya and shove them in the same corner as your shoved “he who makes takfir against a Muslim, the takfir returns to him,” since apparently you consider that in the same regard as you consider my shahada, affirmations of sound belief, rejections of extremism, etc.
@Pink,
This am on a BBC report, an official of some capacity was asked about “who the Taliban were and what their relationship was with al-Qaeda.” He echoed my sediments exactly. He said that there were three different groups of “Taliban” in the Pakistan area. You have groups who are fighting the Pakistan government. That is the main objective. Another group is concerned with forcing western influence out of the Afghan region. They are most often the source of cross boarder insurgency. The third are more associated with al Qaeda and have a more global agenda. The divide between them are “fluid”. (I am sorry I can not find the report that I heard on my drive between home and work this AM.) The speaker said that “we put labels on them to make it easier for us to understand, but it is not that clearly defined.” Or something along that lines.
What you heard was the “mouth piece” of one sect of this group. Ask the “Taliban” who are more associated with the “global agenda” and you would have gotten very different answers to the questions asked. Maybe the only connection is their belief in what we in the west have come to understand as “Sharia law”.
Even the representative yesterday made reference to what I had insinuated about their leadership. He referred to his spiritual leader and his political leader as the same source. There is an inherent danger in having people with guns making “faith based” allegiances. There can be no solid logic in their actions.
@ Jennifer,
All over the world, including here in this country, we have criminals. Why do gang members spray acid in the faces of women who have tried to leave them right here in the US. The “projects” and “low income trailer parks” alike are filled with aggressive male behavior. The gang mentality, (whether be the “Bloods” or “The Hell’s Angels”) is one of oppression. However, people in Pakistan’s armed forces are not in the US projects trying to rid the country of this mentality. If Pakistan Army tried, they would encounter many angry Americans who might agree that the practices of these groups are wrong, but most importantly they are concerned with a foreign military being on their soil.
The US fear mongers like to use these incidents to muddy the water of the real issues. The only thing that the US should be interested in is the threat to the US or its allies. Nobody forced the US to rid ourselves of slavery, women’s suffrage, or any other oppressions. Our citizens had to stand up and throw off those chains themselves. Had someone else tried they would have been met with a unified American resistance.
hello i am Pavol from Slovakia i am soldier i am going to the Afghanistan..i do not know why is so cruel Taliban and so many died people in that place?i agree with Barack Obama that he want take out soldiers from that place.