Afghan Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Mutawakel on Saturday ruled out extending visas to Western diplomats waiting in Kabul to see eight aid workers facing trial for allegedly preaching Christianity.
"There is no need to extend visas for diplomats who have arrived from Islamabad," Mutawakel told the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) from the ruling Taliban militia's southern Kandahar headquarters.
AIP quoted an unnamed Taliban foreign ministry official in Kabul as saying the diplomats had formally requested visa extensions.
They have sent their passports to the foreign ministry, the official said, but added: "There is no chance for an extension as our decision is final."
US, Australian and German diplomats arrived in Kabul on Tuesday, more than a week after the aid workers, staff of German-based group Shelter Now (SN), were arrested for allegedly trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity.
Their visas are due to expire on Tuesday.
Taliban officials have advised the diplomats to leave the country, having repeatedly denied them access to those under arrest -- two Americans, two Australians and four Germans -- or even to take letters they had written to their families.
The aid workers, as well as 16 of their Afghan colleagues, are being kept under guard in two detention centers in Kabul. They have not been seen since their arrest between August 3 and 5.
"We have already told them they will not be allowed to meet the detainees as an investigation is underway. We fail to understand why they continue to insist on a meeting," Mutawakel said:
"The diplomats should exercise patience and let us complete the investigations."
He said proselytizing was a serious matter and the SN workers had hurt the sentiments of millions of Afghans. "We regret the Western propaganda aimed at misrepresenting the event," he said.
The Taliban claim they seized preaching materials from the foreigners which included translations of the Bible in Dari and Pushto languages and video tapes.
Taliban officials have not explained the charges or what punishment they might face, but have refused to rule out the death penalty.
The United States has said Islamabad consul-general David Donahue will stay in Kabul until the standoff is resolved.
"Mr. Donahue is staying in Kabul and will continue to press for access to the detainees," State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said on Thursday.
"Our number one interest here, of course, is access to our citizens, to see that they are being treated fairly and that they're in good shape."
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has also joined the chorus of appeals to the Taliban to allow diplomats consular access.
In a statement through his spokesman on Friday, Annan said he "regrets that, contrary to customary international law, consular access and legal representation for the detainees have been denied".
Spokesman Manoel De Almeida e Silva said "the secretary general appeals to the Taliban for a speedy solution in line with international norms and obligations".
Denying access and legal representation to the accused "gives a signal that could have severe consequences on critical humanitarian assistance at a time when Afghans are suffering the combined effects of war, extreme poverty, massive displacement and severe drought," he added.
The UN has imposed tough sanctions against the Taliban for the militia's alleged support of terrorism and its refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, who is wanted in Washington for allegedly masterminding terrorist attacks against US interests.
The Islamic militia seized Kabul in 1996 and imposed a radical brand of Sharia law -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
