E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

TNSM suspends talks with govt
* Spokesman says Dir operation must stop, but peace deal intact

* Taliban occupy govt buildings in Swat, set up checkposts

The Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-Muhammadi has suspended talks with the NWFP government to protest against the military action in Dir, spokesman Amir Izzat Khan told Daily Times in Mingora city on Monday. He did not say when the talks would resume.

"We, however, still adhere to the February deal," he told AFP, referring to the accord that sought a Taliban disarmament in return for the imposition of sharia law in Malakand division. "We will not hold any talks until the operation ends."

"The agreements with the Pakistan government are worthless because Pakistani rulers are acting to please Americans," Muslim Khan, spokesman for Taliban in Swat valley said.

"We were living peacefully in Dir," Umar told AP. "Nothing warranted the operation."
A Taliban spokesman that AP identified as Umar said the Taliban would agree to talks about the situation in Dir, but only if the military operation is halted. "We were living peacefully in Dir," Umar told AP. "Nothing warranted the operation."

The situation in Swat meanwhile drifted towards chaos as Taliban set up checkposts, occupied government buildings and kidnapped a policeman, local residents told Daily Times. They robbed and ransacked the office of Belgium-based humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders in Saidu Sharif, officials said. Heavily-armed Taliban were patrolling streets in Qambar area, close to Mingora city, and checking incoming and outgoing passengers.

Separately, Online reported that Taliban took control of the telephone exchange in Bahrain town of Swat. Around 20 or 25 Taliban men stormed the building and seized the exchange, a private TV channel reported. Taliban have also set up a checkpost in Bahrain. They had earlier taken over the houses of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid provincial president Engineer Ameer Muqam, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Saranjam Khan and Pir Syed Hussain Shah Gillani's bungalow.

Muslim Khan told Online the Taliban would not lay down weapons until the establishment of Darul Qaza, an appeals court which is part of the new Nizam-e-Adl Regulation. In an interview with a private TV channel, he said Taliban were present in Buner district and would remain there. "We have not disobeyed the Swat peace deal," he said, adding that the Nizam-e-Adl would be "a role model for the whole world."
Posted by: Fred 2009-04-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=268589