Supreme Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar on Sunday warned Afghanistan's former king and the United States against attempting to remove him from power, and warned of a long guerilla war.
"Do you not feel ashamed at coming back with the support of the Americans?" Omar said in comments directed at the 86-year-old former king Mohammed Zahir Shah, who has been living in exile in Rome since his ouster in 1973.
"Don't you know the nature of Afghans that they will fight against your corrupt administration?" he said.
"I will see how you are when you come to Afghanistan. You are very happy giving the statements from outside the country."
Omar also opened fire on the king's religious credentials: "As a matter of fact, you have failed to implement the way of God upon yourself, and that is the problem."
"For Afghans, there will no difference between the Americans and the Russians. Once the Afghans are able to get hold of you, then I will be watching you," he told the king.
Zahir Shah was Sunday locked in discussions over forming a new broad-based government with anti-Taliban factions, amid growing signs that the US-led war on terrorism was also seeking to oust the Taliban from power.
Omar's statement was delivered in his own voice and broadcast on Taliban-run Radio Shariat. Normally his statements are read out by a presenter.
Taking aim at the United States, Omar accused Washington of seeking to install friendly regimes across the globe.
"Leave the Afghans, Muslims and Arab countries alone ... and then you will be safe," Omar warned. "If not, you will not be safe for all your life."
"The [Taliban] government may collapse, but it will be the same as during the time of the Jihad [against the Soviet Union]. New fronts will be established, just like against the communists," he warned.
"You may think it is easy, but the consequences for you will be very severe," Omar said. "It is very easy to bring anarchy, but establishing law and order is a very difficult task."
"God willing, I believe that neither the US or their allies will be able to do anything. They will only find the same destiny as the communists," Omar said.
"You may capture the airports and the capital and the cities, but people will go to the mountains. So don't destroy and drown yourselves, this is a country of Muslims. God willing you will be drowned here."
Omar also warned Afghans against collaborating with anti-Taliban elements.
"Afghans should not fulfil the interests of the United States. If you pay no attention to Islam and God's law, then your death will be allowed," he warned -- KABUL (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
