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US asks Taliban to expel bin Laden

The United States has discussed with the Taliban the possibility of expelling alleged international terrorist Osama bin Laden "to a place where he could be brought to justice", State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

US Ambassador to Pakistan William Milam, who discussed the issue with the Taliban's representative to the country, Abdul Salim Zayif, said there is "continuing international demand" for bin Laden's trial.

Boucher left open the US option of launching another military strike on Afghanistan if it was proved that bin Laden was involved in the suicide bomb attack on the destroyer, USS Cole, in Aden, Yemen, last month.

"Ambassador Milam made [it] clear to the Taliban representative... that the investigation continues into the attack on the Cole; the perpetrators at this point have not been identified, but the US will do what it has to do in order to protect American lives and our national interests around the world," Boucher told reporters.

PTI

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