Taliban denies Red Cross attack

Comments from the Taliban Friday indicated that they had nothing to do with the suicide attack in Jalalabad that killed one Afghan guard and forced seven workers with the International Committee of the Red Cross to be evacuated.

"We are not involved, and we are not supporting this kind of attack," said a statement from the Taliban. The statement went on to say that it never targeted civilians and that it had previously cooperated with the Red Cross.

The Taliban has been known to target other organizations it believes are working with US or Afghan spy agencies.

The Red Cross is widely seen as neutral in Afghanistan and generally enjoys a good reputation as a group doing good for civilians. The Red Cross's presence in Afghanistan is one of the largest in the world, with some 1,800 staff working in 17 locations.

A spokesman for the Red Cross, Robin Waudo, did not comment on the Taliban's denial but did refute reports that the Red Cross had suspended its operations in the country. Waudo did say, however, that Red Cross workers had been told not to travel for two days after the attack.

"The humanitarian assistance that we've been providing is required," Waudo said. "But also we have to balance that with the security of our colleagues."

Among the services the Red Cross provides in Afghanistan are polio vaccinations for children.

mz/jr (AP, AFP, dpa)