U.S. radio urges Afghans not to help Taliban, tells Taliban they face 'demise'

By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Any Taliban troops who want a second chance to live should raise their hands, according to a message from the U.S. military broadcast in Afghanistan.

Also, empty their clips of bullets.

"You have guaranteed your own demise," says the message, transmitted by Air Force EC-130 "Commando Solo" aircraft flying over the country. "Surrender now and we will give you a second chance. We will let you live."

The message offers a how-to.

"When you decide to surrender, approach United States forces with your hands in the air. Sling your weapon across your back, muzzle towards the ground. Remove your magazine and expel any rounds.

"Doing this is your only chance of survival."

Another message urges the Afghan people not to help the Taliban and Osama bin Laden and to stay away from possible bombing targets.

"It is not you, the honorable people of Afghanistan, who are targeted, but those who would oppress you, seek to bend you to their own will and make you their slaves," says a broadcast aimed at the Afghan population.

There are several versions being broadcast and dropped in leaflets over sectors of Afghanistan.

The broadcast tells Afghans that the United States was the target of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, "leaving no choice but to seek justice for those horrible crimes," according to an English translation transcript released by the Pentagon.

"It will take the combined efforts of the international community and you to remove these evil people from Afghanistan," it said.

"Take the following action: Do not give food, shelter, or any type of aid to the Taliban or Osama bin Laden. This will be a great help in the effort."

It also warned Afghans to "stay away from military installations, government buildings, terrorist camps, roads, factories or bridges."

"If you are near these places, then you must move away from them ... we do not wish to harm you," it said.

Military planes began dropping leaflets over Afghanistan Sunday – one showing a Western soldier in camouflage and helmet shaking hands with a man in traditional Afghan dress in front of a mountain scene.

"The partnership of nations is here to assist the people of Afghanistan," the leaflet said.

Another depicts a radio transmitting tower and sketches of radios and tells times and radio stations to tune to for "Information Radio."

The broadcasts started earlier, but leaflets telling people to listen were delayed because of windy conditions last week, a Pentagon official said.

The message to the Taliban warns that by harboring bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network, "you have declared war on the United States."

"Our military is bigger, faster and stronger, with more modernized weapons and better-trained troops," it says.

"You will be attacked by land, sea, and air."

The message to civilians says the United States does not want to "spill the blood of innocent people."

"We will hunt down and punish these terrorists," it says. "They will pay with their blood."

AP-WS-10-18-01 1217EDT