Following are excerpts
from an interview with Wali ur-Rehman
Mehsud, Deputy Commander of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which aired
on Al-Arabiya TV on August 26, 2011.
Wali
ur-Rehman Mehsud: The death of Osama Bin Laden is a great tragedy
for the Islamic nation, but let me make it clear that we are a people
of faith. As I've said in the past, Islam encompasses life, and Jihad
is decreed by Allah. We are working to complete the mission.
[...]
We, in the Taliban movement,
have declared that we would wreak vengeance upon the US, NATO, the European
countries, and the Pakistani government.
[...]
When the news of the
martyrdom of Othman came, the Prophet Muhammad made all his companions
swear that they would avenge his death. We too have made all the
mujahideen swear to wreak vengeance upon all the infidel countries
and their helpers.
[...]
We have declared that
we would attack ten targets. We began with Pakistan, by attacking the
Mehran base, and the attacks to come will be larger.
[...]
I cannot reveal other
targets. We began in Pakistan, and you shall see these attacks in the
US, NATO, and the European countries.
[...]
They are all our enemies
and constitute targets for us, but France and Britain – the spearhead
of the European countries – will be among our top priorities,
because of the role they play in the heinous and barbaric acts against
the Muslims. Therefore, France and Britain are at the top of our list
of targets.
[...]
We will try to plan an
attack greater than 9/11, but the preparation and the necessary resources
require time. When it becomes possible, we will launch a more powerful
attack, in cooperation with a group of mujahideen, in order to
prove that we have not been weakened by the death of Bin Laden.
[...]
Fighting is by no means
an easy thing. The cost of all the requirements, including weapons,
is estimated in the millions.
[...]
We manage this easily.
We have many sympathizers around the world. We have not encountered
any problem in this respect.
[...]
Pakistan has adopted
a policy of subjugation to America. According to Pakistani officials,
36,000 Pakistanis and 5,000 security personnel have lost their lives
as a result of this policy.
[...]
Until the policy of subjugation
to America is changed, there can be no prospect of peace. In the current
state of affairs, we will not opt for peace in the near future.
[...]
