Bin Laden Asks to Move Out of Afghanistan

Osama bin Laden, wanted by the United States for the bombing of two American embassies last year, has asked for permission to leave Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban religious army said Saturday.

Bin Laden’s departure could lift the threat of U.N. sanctions on Afghanistan, where he has been living for years. The Taliban has resisted pressure from the United States to hand him over to be tried on charges of planning the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people.

The United Nations has threatened to impose sanctions on Afghanistan if it does not turn over Bin Laden by Nov. 14.

Taliban spokesman Tayyab Agha said Bin Laden asked for permission to leave Afghanistan in a letter Friday to the Islamic movement’s reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Bin Laden asked the Taliban to provide him security while he is moving out and not disclose his destination, Agha told the Associated Press by telephone from the southern Afghan city of Qandahar.

Seeking the Taliban’s permission to leave is viewed as just a courtesy.

A Clinton administration official, who insisted on anonymity, said the U.S. government had seen the report of Bin Laden’s request, but that it “falls far short” of the U.N. resolution that the militia deliver him for trial in the United States or another able country.

“Our goal remains the same--that Bin Laden be brought to justice,” the official said.

There is consensus among the Taliban leadership that if Bin Laden wants to leave Afghanistan, he won’t be stopped, Agha said. He said the leaders would meet in the next few days to discuss the issue, but he also said the Taliban was prepared to protect him in “days to come.”

Agha insisted the Taliban did not pressure Bin Laden to leave.

“Perhaps Osama wants to leave Afghanistan because he feels that the country is facing a lot of hardships because of his stay here,” Agha said.