Listened to the theory of a Boston University prof saying we don't need to take OBL out, we just need to make him guest non grata and let the Afghans do it for us.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/309/world/Growing_number_of_Afghans_wond:.shtml

Growing number of Afghans wonder if Osama bin Laden's presence worth the pain

By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press, 11/5/2001 02:52

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Four weeks after U.S. bombing began, Afghans interviewed in the capital say they wish Osama bin Laden, the man referred to as ''the guest,'' would pack up and leave.

''Honestly we don't know why he stays here,'' Mohammed Farhat, a Kabul pharmacist, said of the chief suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed about 4,500 people in the United States. ''The situation is very bad for the Afghan people, but there is nothing we can do.''

President Bush ordered the air assault Oct. 7 after the ruling Taliban militia repeatedly refused to surrender bin Laden, a Saudi exile who has lived in Afghanistan since 1996.

The Taliban insisted the Americans had offered no proof of bin Laden's role, and said it would be an affront to Islam to hand over a Muslim ''guest'' to a non-Muslim government. Now, they claim the real goal of the U.S.-led campaign is to wage war against Islam and destroy the Islamic regime here.

There are no public opinion surveys in Afghanistan, and it is difficult to assess broad-based opinions in a country where communications are primitive.

However, conversations on the streets, in the shops and in the markets of this beleaguered capital suggest that a growing number of Afghans worn out by more than 20 years of war and grinding poverty wish bin Laden would simply leave.

There is little they can do, however, because few would be willing to challenge the rigidly Islamic regime that rules most of Afghanistan.

Bin Laden's Arab allies within his al-Qaida organization were never popular among Afghans. who considered them hostile and overbearing. However, most Afghans seemed to accept their presence, albeit unenthusiastically and grudgingly.

That began to change, however, after the Sept. 11 attacks and the fears of American reprisals. Now, with the bombing continuing into its fifth week, some Afghans are becoming openly critical of his presence.

''There is no life, nothing for the people here,'' Haji Islam Uddin said as he hugged his legs to his chest to guard against the cold. ''Even a piece of bread is not available. Of course Osama should be handed over. If not, then he should go, leave our country.''

Uddin spoke outside a rickety old shop that sells odds and ends some car parts, bicycle parts, and tools. He laughs at a suggestion that the Afghans themselves should force their Taliban rulers to hand over bin Laden.

''You think this is democracy?'' he asked. ''We don't have democracy in our country. Before it was (Burhanuddin) Rabbani and (Gulbuddin) Hekmatyar who killed us with their rockets,'' referring to the country's rulers before the Taliban took power in 1996.

''And now the Taliban will kill us with their guns,'' he added. ''The people in this country have no tongue with which to speak anymore.''

Nearby a younger man, Ghulam Hayat, said bin Laden has ''sabotaged'' life in Afghanistan by bringing the wrath of the entire world down on his forlorn country.

''Never do we want him to stay,'' Hayat said. He gestures toward his tattered sweater and torn shalwar kameez garments and says: ''We have no power in our hands, only poverty.''

There is no anger in his words, but he wonders aloud at why the U.S. jets attack the capital.

''They should find Osama's bases,'' he says, staring around at the ruins of earlier wars. ''Osama is not here.''

A toothless, elderly man with a giant turban perched on his head strolls by, running his fingers over his Islamic prayer beads. He's curious about the conversation.

''Osama, who is Osama?'' the man, who gave his name only as Ashraf, said. ''What is he doing here?''

Ashraf bellows and complains.

''We never accept that he should stay here. We say he should go. He should leave our country. They should all go,'' he added, referring to bin Laden's al-Qaida fighters, most of whom are Arabs, Pakistanis, Chechens and Uzbeks.

In another neighborhood, Faqir Mohammed, who repairs bikes for a living, complained that bin Laden's followers had brought nothing but trouble to a country that needs international help not isolation and war.

''Osama should not start his terrorist attacks from here,'' he said. ''Why does he stay here?''

Down the street, Farhat, the pharmacist, accused bin Laden of exploiting Afghanistan for his own purposes. ''He doesn't fight for Afghanistan,'' Farhat said in fluent English. ''He fights for his own purpose.''

Does he believe bin Laden was behind the September attacks in America?

''Some people believe he was, and others say they don't know,'' Farhat mused. ''But people think what happened in the United States was a very bad action. It shouldn't have happened. It was very bad.''

Still, there's little Farhat and other ordinary Afghans can do but hope for an early end to the conflict.

''We just hope it will come to an end soon,'' he said. ''But I think it will go on. We just pray. What else can we do?''

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001