Sometimes in our haste to intellectually dissect a situation, we tend to forget to prioritise our arguments. This is what happened to Complete Install's 'Pity PAS for being truthful,' (Oct 17).

Why is Osama bin Laden unwilling to give himself up? Why is he adamant of staying put in the hills of Afghanistan to the detriment of the Afghans? Is it because he didn't commit the atrocities of Sept 11? Remember even some Muslim countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia have said that they are satisfied with the evidence supplied by the US implicating Osama to the crime.

And even if he is not involved, so what? It seems to be a callous question but consider this. I believe the majority of decent humans would gladly sacrifice their lives to save others. I know I would, if I know my mentor's death will mean saving the lives of so many others. Osama has the opportunity to do so and in the process even become a symbol of peace. But he refuses to.

Even Taliban wants him to do so voluntarily and spare them the humiliation of surrendering him the US. But Osama prefers to safeguard his life, although he fully realises that the world will not be able to stop US' intentions even if it wants to.

Osama is an acknowledged terrorist even if the crimes of Sept 11 cannot be attributed to him. So, please do not argue against or for Osama/Taliban/PAS/US etc. Just look out for the welfare of the poor Afghans. That should be the priority.