I recall reading it in any number of different sources over the last few years, Ebbie. I mean there were a whole bunch of them. Danged if I recall specifically who and when, it's just part of the general background I'm familiar with by now about that war, only I do recall this: it wasn't Bin Laden that I am quoting. ("a carpet of gold or a carpet of bombs") ;-) It was various American sources, I believe. And it might have been some British sources as well, but I'm not sure. The Afghans were offered a deal which it was felt they could not refuse. They refused.

I'll see if I can find one of those sources maybe tomorrow sometime.