<span> they were apparently acting in retaliation for America’s support of </span>Israel<span>, its involvement in the </span>Persian Gulf War<span> and its continued military presence in the Middle East.</span>
<span>On the day of 9/11, the Taliban foreign
minister told the Arab television network Al Jazeera: "We denounce this
terrorist attack, whoever is behind it." The United States
requested the Taliban to shut down all al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan,
open them to inspection and turn over Osama bin Laden.</span>
