On the evening of September 11, 2001, “The Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar, issued a denial [of bin Laden’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks] through a spokesman in Kandahar [Afghanistan], Abdul Hai Mutmain: ‘Mullah Omar condemns this act. Mullah Omar says Osama is not responsible. We have brought peace to this country and we want peace in all countries.’ ”
– Barry Bearak, “Condemning Attacks, Taliban Says bin Laden Not Involved,” The New York Times, Sep. 12, 2001