A declassified U.S. Department of State cable, dated September 13, 1998, describes an exchange between Taliban official Abdul Hakim Mujahid and a U.S. diplomat in Pakistan. Mujahid said: ” ‘Very few Afghans are in favor of Bin Ladin’s presence in Afghanistan. Eighty percent of the Taliban leadership opposes his presence, including Taliban deputy leader Mullah [Mohammad] Rabbani, [foreign minister] Wakil Ahmed [Muttawakil], and *Acting Minister of Mines* Mullah Jan. [Taliban leader] Mullah [Mohammad] Omar is the major supporter of Bin Ladin.’ ”
– Peter Bergen, The Osama bin Laden I Know, Pages 232-233