Stardate 20010912.0537 (On Screen): It's clear that the Taliban began to realize fairly soon yesterday that its initial statement about yesterday's bombing didn't accomplish what it was intended (to deflect American aggression) and their stance is beginning to soften. Now they're willing to consider any evidence of involvement by Osama bin Ladin and perhaps to discuss extradition. That's better but not good enough; if the US government reaches the point where it is willing to go public with a direct accusation, it isn't going to be interested in an extended round of negotiations. And even if there are negotiations, there aren't going to be any carrots. It's all going to be stick. There's no way we're going to buy him from the Taliban. So they won't be presented with evidence and a request, they'll be presented with an ultimatum and a deadline.
(discuss)Update: One of the excuses that that Taliban gave yesterday for their contention that bin Ladin wasn't involved was that he had no ability to communicate because the Taliban had confiscated all his equipment. So how did he contact a newspaper in Pakistan today to issue a denial?
