KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - With relief agencies fearing a crackdown, a Taliban official said Saturday that Afghanistan's hard-line ruling militia turned up evidence that three international aid groups are involved in propagating Christianity.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Taliban's religious police had found the evidence implicating three aid agencies.
He refused to identify the organizations. But the Taliban's Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil earlier called the United Nations' World Food Program suspicious and said it should be prepared to be investigated.
The Taliban launched an investigation into all international relief agencies in the nation, saying they suspected a conspiracy to convert Muslims, after the arrest of eight Western aid workers - including two Americans - and 16 Afghan staffers two weeks ago for allegedly preaching Christianity. The eight workers remained held on Saturday.
Several aid organizations contacted said that more arrests could cause an exodus of foreign aid workers from this nation, wrecked by years of warfare, natural disaster and economic ruin.
The Taliban, who espouse a harsh brand of fundamentalist Islam, insisted Saturday that they would not extend the visas for three Western diplomats who came to Afghanistan trying to see the imprisoned foreign aid workers. The Taliban have refused to allow any visits with the prisoners, and the diplomats' visas run out on Tuesday.
``Our meetings with the diplomats have finished,'' Abdul Rehman Ottaq, the Taliban's consulate department director said earlier. ``We will not be extending their visas.''
The diplomats, who come from the United States, Australia and Germany, say they will try until the last minute to win an extension.
Australian diplomat Alastar Adams said the Taliban's refusal to allow them access is part of a strategy of psychological pressure aimed at weakening the imprisoned workers - perhaps in an attempt to get more information.
Another Taliban official said the diplomats were denied access to the aid workers because ``right now they are cooperating fully with us. We don't want them to stop talking.''
The aid workers - two Americans, four Germans and two Australians - and the 16 Afghan staffers worked for Shelter Now International, operated by a Germany-based Christian group, Vision for Asia. Almost daily since their arrest and the agency's closure, Taliban media have been showing material they say was seized from their offices - Christian educational material translated into the local language.
The Taliban investigations has left other aid groups - and their Afghan employees - afraid. While foreigners accused of proselytizing face jail time and expulsion, Afghanis convicted on the same charges face execution.
``We are worried because we are here with foreigners, and everyone is looking at us like we are something suspicious,'' said an Afghan employee of one organization who identified himself only as Ustad.
``This whole incident has blackened the face of all aid organizations. Our dignity is questioned,'' said Ustad.
``We are trying to maintain business as usual, but it is a cloud hanging over Kabul,'' said Tim Mindling, an American and acting head of International Assistance Mission, which operates eye hospitals throughout Afghanistan. ``All NGO (nongovernment organization) local staff are nervous. Ours are being very cautious.''
Several aid organizations said they were watching the situation to see whether it deteriorated saying they were ready to evacuate it if did.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that a protracted investigation and further charges could seriously jeopardize international assistance to this poor country.
AP-NY-08-18-01 1143EDT
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.