It is very difficult to refute as it was also covered by several other sources & the highest authority quoted was a Pakistan ambassador who was present at some of the early Bush - Taliban negotiations.

Just don't expect the denialists or those with blinkers on to even debate any aspect of the report. They can't, so will take cowards approach & poo-poo the source or the fact that it was 'two bloody frog journalists' or some other cowardly copout argument.

But in my opinion you scored a direct hit in the intention of this post.

Good for you - cheers

Doug Marker