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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001

White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer on Tuesday moved quickly to dispel suggestions by President Bush that the Afghan people rise up and defeat the Taliban.

Fleischer said the President wasn't looking to bring down a sovereign nation. Bush had said Afghan citizens might want to get rid the "incredibly repressive" Taliban.

With or without Bush's assurances, thousands of citizens have been fleeing Afghanistan since September 11's terrorist attacks. The capitol of Kabul is being drained as many head to Pakistan.

Pakistan, who has warned Taliban officials of grave consequences for the continued harboring of suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, is now urging the United States against supporting the Northern Alliance. The alliance is an anti-Taliban group in northern Afghanistan.

Pakistan is the only country to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia cut ties yesterday, criticizing the Taliban of fostering terrorism.

Get the Story:
'Kabul Right Now Is Empty' (The Washington Post 9/26)
Pakistan Warns U.S. on Afghan Role (The Washington Post 9/26)
Bush Urges Afghans to Rid Their Country of Taliban (The New York Times 9/26)
Afghan Landscape Is Dotted With Scattered Taliban Forces (The New York Times 9/26)
Bush Urges Afghans to Rid Their Country of Taliban (The New York Times 9/26)
Saudis Criticize the Taliban and Halt Diplomatic Ties (The New York Times 9/26)
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