DUSHANBE, May 22, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Taliban leadership has warned Iran and Tajikistan over serious consequences if these countries continue cooperating with the United States and support military campaign against the Taliban Movement, Head of the Political Council of the Taliban Movement in Afghanistan, Abdul Vase Mutassim Aga, said in an interview with Al-Jazeera.
BBC reports Mutassim stated that information had reached them that Tajikistan had allowed the United States to send non-military cargo through its territory for the United States and NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan. This means that it becomes accomplice of violence and aggression against Islam and neighboring country, he said.
The Taliban leader calls on the government of Tajikistan to refuse assistance of the U.S. administration. However, Mutassim did not specify what Taliban intend to undertake if Dushanbe continues cooperation with the Western countries in Afghanistan.
According to BBC, official Dushanbe has refused from commenting on reports about Mutassem’s statement released by media. The source at Tajik MFA noted that the country’s government did not officially respond to statements made by unofficial organizations, however, appropriate services would consider such statements and take measures.
Earlier, Dushanbe allowed the United States to transport non-military NATO cargo through Tajikistan into Afghanistan. Washington had reached similar agreement with Moscow and Tashkent.
In the meantime, Dushanbe has taken Taliban’s threats quite seriously. According to military experts, there ought not to underestimate the statement of supporters of the Movement.
