ASSISTANT SECRETARY CLARKE CLARIFICATION ON AL QAEDA, TALIBAN
March 12, 2002

During today’s briefing I may have left the wrong impression regarding our policy on the surrender of al Qaeda and Taliban:

Our mission is to capture or kill all al Qaeda and Taliban leadership.

It is not in anyone’s interest for al Qaeda or Taliban leadership to be permitted to go free.

The Afghan interim government is well aware of our position and expectations, and has been fully cooperative on this matter.

We do not support releasing any al Qaeda or Taliban leadership.