Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl ‘Rick’ “Inderfurth laid out a seemingly schizophrenic policy before Congress. ‘The Taliban’s sheltering of bin Laden, who continues to threaten U.S. lives and property, presents a clear danger to the security of the U.S. and its citizens,’ he told a House hearing [on October 15, 1999]. Then he seemed to reverse himself as he declared, ‘We are prepared to work with the Taliban to rid Afghanistan of terrorist networks.’ It was clear that the [Clinton] administration had not made up its mind and was leaving the initiative to the other side. ‘The choice between cooperation and isolation lies with the Taliban,’ he said.”
– Roy Gutman, How We Missed the Story, Page 173