Terrorism's Home Sweet Home
The Muslim extremists known as the Taleban militia has trampled on women's rights and banned most modern pleasures in Afghanistan, CBS News Senior European Correspondent Tom Fenton reports.
And since taking over most of that country, they have also made it a haven for some of the world's most dangerous terrorists. That includes Osama bin Laden, the Saudi Arabian millionaire suspected of sponsoring the embassy bombings. Dr. Sa'ad al-Faghi is close to bin Laden's thinking.
"Afghanistan is the only place where they can stay safe and protected. They've tried Sudan, they've tried Yemen, and all those areas are vulnerable and dangerous for them," he says.
al-Faghi says bin Laden and an assortment of Middle East fundamentalists have put aside their differences and banded together to form a terrorist network to drive Americans out of Saudi Arabia.
"There's no actual melding or union between them, but there is a new front," he says.
They operate with impunity inside Afghanistan, where the Taleban militia has overrun most of the country. The remnants of the old government, which has no power now, fear their country is becoming a launching pad for attacks on the West.
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"This man is very, very active inside Afghanistan and what he is really willing to do inside Afghanistan is to make a state of terrorism." says Afghan diplomat Walid Massoud.
Despite reports that the Taleban leaders may now be ready to turn over bin Laden in exchange for recognition by the U.S., sources in London close to the Taleban told CBS News today they will never give him up to the Americans.
Short of bin Laden giving himself up, it would be nearly impossible to get him out of Afghanistan. He has a huge armory of weapons and is constantly on the move. He is also surrounded by a terrorist network committed to what they say is a struggle to the death against America.
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