Former senior Taliban official ready to talk to CIA
( 2002-02-18 10:21 ) (7 )

A former Taliban deputy interior minister is ready to talk to the CIA and provide information that may lead to the capture of fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, Time magazine reported.

The report, in the issue due on the newsstands Monday, said that despite Haji Abdul Samat Khaksar's readiness, the US Central Intelligence Agency has so far made no move to debrief him.

According to Time, Khaksar says he has a lot of information to give up, perhaps even some that will lead to Mullah Omar, the fugitive leader of Afghanistan's fallen regime and chief ally of Osama bin Laden.

Khaksar, who has surrendered to Northern Alliance forces, has already divulged a wealth of intelligence information to US military officials.

He told them, for example, that elements of the Taliban and bin Laden's al-Qaeda formed a new group in the Pakistani city of Peshawar called "al-Farkan" with the goal of waging holy war against the American presence in Afghanistan, the report said.

Khaksar also said agents of the Pakistani intelligence agency might still maintain ties to the Taliban and al-Qaeda, according to Time.

He told US military officials that the reason they have been unable to find Mullah Omar is that they have been relying on "liars" and tribal chieftains who were using US firepower to wreak revenge on their ancient enemies, the report said.

The weekly said that in return for his cooperation, Khaksar wants safe passage for his family to a location of his choice.

Khaksar has sent letters to the US Embassy in Kabul five times, offering to meet the diplomats but has received no response, Time said.