“In Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, a meeting of 700 Muslim clerics from the Taliban movement that governs most of the country seemed near a final decision not to hand over Mr. bin Laden. [Pakistani President] General [Pervez] Musharraf said categorically that the Taliban had rejected a handover. But there were signs in Kabul of continuing uncertainty and splits in the Taliban movement.”
– John F. Burns, Afghans Coaxing bin Laden, but U.S. Rejects Clerics’ Bid,” The New York Times, Sep. 20, 2001