November 21, 2001	Wednesday	Ramazan 5, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: Britain has already established its diplomatic mission in Kabul and many other countries are keen to reopen their missions there, a spokesman for the Coalition Information Services said on Tuesday.

At the maiden briefing of the newly-established CIS offices at the American Center, Mr Keith identified Iran, India, France and Russia that wanted to reopen their missions in Kabul and other Afghan cities.

Mr Keith did not comment on a direct question whether the resumption of diplomatic ties by these countries could be taken as recognition of the so-called government of Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani.

The spokesman, who met US special envoy on Afghanistan James Dobbins before his departure to Washington, said that Mr Dobbins had met the commander of Northern Alliance in Bagram who reaffirmed their commitment for a broad-based and multi-ethnic transitional setup in Kabul.

Mr Keith ruled out the possibility of inclusion of moderate Taliban in any future setup, saying the Taliban would have to cease to exist as a group.

Regarding the representation of Pakhtoons, who constitute about 60 per cent of the total Afghan population, in the new setup, he said that was yet to be determined.

However, he said, a meeting of Afghan groups would be held this week in a European country as a part of measures being taken for the establishment of a transitional setup in Kabul.

Commenting on a statement of Prof Rabbani that the meeting of Afghan groups would have only symbolic significance, Mr Keith said it might be symbolic for him (Rabbani) but a very important step towards formation of a transitional setup.

The spokesman denied reports that Osama bin Laden had left Afghanistan, saying he was very much present in southern parts of the country.

Osama and Mulla Omar had not entered Pakistan, he said, adding that any non-Afghan if sneaked into the tribal areas of Pakistan would not go unnoticed. Bringing Osama to justice, closing down Al Qaeda network and dismantling the Taliban government are the three military objectives of the international war on terrorism.

He said the coalition had made substantial gains but yet to achieve all the objectives of the military operation.

Mr Keith said the situation in some parts of the war-torn country was fluid and added that air operations in Paktia, Nangarhar and Kunduz were still being carried out.

There were about 12,000 Taliban fighters in Kunduz, and up to 3,000 of them were non-Afghans which, he said, had been putting up stiff resistance and using heavy weapons.

Kan