Taliban Threatened With More Sanctions

UNITED NATIONS —  The Security Council threatened further sanctions Friday against Afghanistan’s Taliban militia unless it agrees to end fighting and hand over Osama bin Laden for trial in the bombing of two U.S. embassies.

The council adopted a statement saying it “reaffirms its readiness to consider the imposition of further targeted measures” after diplomats said Russia pressed for sending a warning on issues beyond the Bin Laden case.

The council has not approved any sanctions concerning the fighting that has consumed the Central Asian country for more than two decades--despite calling repeatedly in resolutions for an immediate cease-fire and a return to negotiations.

In November, the council froze Taliban assets and imposed an air embargo on the Taliban-run airline to force the militia to hand over Saudi millionaire Bin Laden for trial in the bombings in east Africa in August 1998. The Taliban have refused, saying he is their guest.

In the statement on U.N. demands, adopted after an open debate, council members blasted the religious militia for the unabated violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan.

They also urged the Taliban to stop new offenses and resume talks with opposition factions and called on the Taliban’s foreign allies to halt the supply of personnel and weapons to the warring factions.

Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy said the council should “consider measures to cut off the supply of weapons to belligerents.”

Movements of Taliban fighters and equipment in and around Kabul have increased in recent days, John Renninger, head of the Asia-Pacific division of the organization’s Department of Political Affairs, told the council at the start of the debate.

“There is every indication that preparations for an organized, large-scale offensive are now well under way on both sides,” Renninger said.