The U.S. welcomes the decision of the United Arab Emirates to sever relations with the Taliban because of its continued refusal to turn over Usama bin Laden. The UAE’s action today is fully consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1333, and constitutes further evidence that the international community of nations speaks with one voice on this issue. Usama bin Laden and his terrorist associates threaten not just one state or several states, but rather civilization itself. We hope today’s move by the UAE will lead the Taliban to recognize that it must immediately remand Usama bin Laden to the appropriate authorities so that he may be arrested and effectively brought to justice.

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