[link|http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9810/21/taliban.un/|CNN Story from 1998]. The Taliban was never recognized by the UN as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
A quote from the story by a Taliban representative:
Mujahid outlined the Taliban position in a 10-page document that lists the reasons why the Taliban should be recognized as the true government of Afghanistan and explaining their position on human rights, women's rights, drug proliferation and tensions with Iran and other neighboring countries.
"The time has come to give Afghanistan what the world owes it, a chance to build on what works well for Afghans," he wrote.
"Recognition of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan has no ill consequences to any nation and will be great and good step for the fiercely independent people of Afghanistan."
So, President Rabbani -- the man recognized by the United Nations as the legitimate leader of Afghanistan -- is moving to allay concerns that the Northern Alliance is consolidating its power on Afghanistan ahead of any political agreement to bring all the different factions together.
Alex Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. -- Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)