Condemning the US retaliation on Afghanistan which started early this morning, two Muslim-based opposition parties today urged Malaysia not to take part in the war waged by the United States and its allies.

PAS information head Azizan Abdul Razak said the US and its partners are "war criminals" who should be brought before the International Court of Justice.

He added the American and British forces should not have struck Taliban-ruled Afghanistan since its leaders are still awaiting evidence of prime suspect Osama bin Laden's involvement in the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

"When the Afghan-Taliban ambassador in Pakistan requested proof from the US, it was denied and instead proof was given to the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other American allies," Azizan said in a statement.

"But the Taliban ulama collectively declared that they would issue a fatwa (religious decree) that Osama be charged in a court of law should there be conclusive proof," he added.

Proof

Since the Sept 11 attacks on Washington and New York, the US government has deployed its troops to Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries to force the Taliban government to extradite the Saudi-born Osama whom they have housed for four years.

However, the Taliban repeatedly declined to hand over Osama without adequate proof, stressing that a jihad or holy war will be called for if the US retaliates on Afghanistan.

At about 12.45am today (9.45pm local time), American and British forces rocked the army training camps and air bases in the Afghan capital of Kabul, Kandahar and Jalalabad with missiles, marking the start of militant actions against Taliban rulers and Osama's Al Qaeda network.

It was reported that US President George W Bush said many other allies Canada, Australia, Germany and France will participate in the operation soon.

Azizan expressed hope that Malaysia will not "collude" with the US as the actions unfold and let the Afghan people decide their own future.

"It would be grossly improper for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to support the US which wants to install a new regime in Afghanistan," he said.

Mahathir had said recently the government will cooperate with the international community to combat terrorism but stressed that it will not support any war against Afghanistan.

'New war'

Keadilan secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir said the party was saddened by the US attack this morning, adding that it would "scar world peace forever".

"We are worried that civilians will be killed and it is highly likely that the reactions to the war may spread to other parts of the world," he said.

He urged the US and its allies to stop the militant strikes immediately and find a non-violent approach to resolve the conflict.

Keadilan Youth vice-chief Low Chee Chong said the government should reiterate its stand on the 'new war' launched by the US and help mobilising peace talks at the international level.

He also said the government should not capitalise on the situation and associate Islam or PAS to the Sept 11 attacks.

"Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said there was a small group of Malaysians showing interest in Islamic terrorism but did not specify who they were," said Low.

He challenged the minister and the government to name those responsible and take them to court instead of invoking the Internal Security Act unnecessarily.

Last month, eight people were sent to the Kamunting detention camp for allegedly being involved in the Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM), said to be responsible for the bombing of a church and a temple, a spate of bank robberies and the assassination of a politician.

Mahathir was quoted as saying last week that PAS is linked to terrorist and militant groups in Malaysia as well as Afghanistan, fuelling fear that a crackdown on the Muslim party may be imminent.

'Peace in Palestine first'

Meanwhile, non-governmental organisations also voiced their concern that the military strikes by the US may breed more violence.

President of International Movement for a Just World (Just) Dr Chandra Muzaffar said the Sept 11 terrorist attacks compounded by the US militant actions will only "give rise to more terrorist and counter-terrorist violence".

Osama in a taped statement broadcast on CNN yesterday said, "America will never dream or know or taste security or safety unless we know safety and security in our land and in Palestine."

Chandra said the peace-loving Americans should urge their leaders to address the root causes of the frustration and desperation in the Muslim world which have led to fury against the US.

Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) said the only solution to address the problem of terrorism is diplomatic approach based on principles of justice and international law.

"The voices of oppressed Arabs in Palestine and other Middle East countries have been effectively muzzled by the US veto power in the United Nations' security council and the Jewish-controlled media," said Abim in its statement endorsed by some 30 NGOs.

These include Consumers Association of Penang, Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS), Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) and Society for Christian Reflection.

Abim also called upon the government to rally Third World countries and members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to "force the US and UK governments to address the issue of terrorism under the auspices of UN".