U.S. Demands on Taliban Not Negotiable - Official

September 27, 2001 07:46 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. demands that Afghanistan's ruling Taliban surrender militant Osama bin Laden are not negotiable, and a Taliban invitation to civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson appears to be a delaying tactic, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday,

"The demands are not open to dialogue," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told NBC's "Today" show, adding that time was running out for the Taliban to surrender the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks that left almost 7,000 people dead or missing and presumed dead.

He said Secretary of State Colin Powell had told Jackson the demands were not negotiable, but it was up to him whether to accept the Taliban's invitation to discuss the matter.

"It seems to me they're trying to delay making a decision on their own," Armitage said. "Secretary of State Powell informed Rev. Jackson that the demands laid on the Taliban are not negotiable. We're hopeful they'll make the right choice. As time goes on, it becomes less and less likely for them to get out of this."

Asked if he believed Jackson should travel to Pakistan, Armitage said, "I personally wouldn't, but it's not my decision."

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001