Straw tells Afghanistan: We will help to build you a better future

War on Terrorism: Radio

Jack Straw sent a direct message to the people of Afghanistan yesterday promising help from the outside world once the Taliban were overthrown and Osama bin Laden faced justice.

In a text broadcast on the BBC World Service, the Foreign Secretary said he wanted to reassure ordinary Afghans that Britain had a quarrel only with their government and the "foreign extremists" it shelters. The statement, which underlined that the West was not battling Islam but was in a "fight against terror", was broadcast in Pashto, the main language in Afghanistan, and other regional dialects.

The BBC's Pashto service is widely listened to by Afghans on short-wave radios in defiance of a ban on foreign media broadcasts by the Taliban. It is one of the few means left to Afghanistan's population of getting information from the outside world.

Mr Straw said a new world consensus had been formed since 11 September which included Muslim leaders and was determined to root out terrorism and its supporters. He said: "This is not a fight against Islam, it is a fight against terror. All religions value life, justice, compassion.

"Terrorists do not. We have no quarrel with the people of Afghanistan. But foreign extremists are abusing the traditional hospitality of the Afghan people. The Taliban regime harms Afghanistan and its people by protecting Osama bin Laden and his colleagues from justice."

Balancing an assertion that the Taliban "share the guilt" of those responsible for the attacks on America with humanitarian concern, Mr Straw said that the world had not abandoned ordinary Afghans.

He said that Britain had given £25m to provide food, water and blankets for refugees.

Appealing to "responsible Afghans", the Foreign Secretary promised generous assistance to provide schools, clinics, roads and secure livelihoods in the future. But the condition of the removal of the Taliban regime and Mr bin Laden remained at the top of Mr Straw's agenda.

He said: "Our commitment to the Afghan people is simple and sincere. You have been ill-served by those who made your country a haven for terrorists across the world.

"As soon as this stops, the world will work with you to build a better future for you and for your children."