Western and Pakistani media regularly cite Hakimi as a spokesman for Afghanistan's toppled Islamic movement.

In the interview with RFE/RL, Hakimi denied recent reports of factional splits within the remnants of the Taliban. He referred specifically to Jaysh al Muslemin (Army of Muslims), a group that claimed responsibility for the kidnapping late last month in Kabul of three foreign female aid workers.

The group's spokesman says it splintered from the Taliban after the movement was toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in late 2001. But Hakimi sought to portray the Taliban leadership as intact.

"We do not oppose the faction that calls itself Jaysh al Muslemin or any other group that is engaged in a holy jihad as we continue ours (jihad). No one has hindered their way to jihad, nor is our way to jihad closed. However, those who call themselves a splinter faction of the Taliban, this assertion is entirely wrong and we deny it completely. No one has split off from the Taliban and there is no question about the leadership of the Taliban. Furthermore, in the present circumstances, there is no need for a separate leadership," Hakimi said.

Jaysh al Muslemin has threatened to kill the three United Nations employees, who hail from Northern Ireland, Kosovo and the Philippines. But its demands have changed repeatedly over the last three weeks during sporadic negotiations with Afghan government contacts and religious figures seeking the women's release.

As regards kidnapping of women, Hakimi said: "It is true that in a struggle you impose your demands on the enemy, or there are actions that are useful in fighting the enemy. We are not opposed to such actions. However, kidnapping women and holding them hostage, I believe, would not be useful or effective. There is no need for such actions. I believe that kidnapping women is not in accordance with Islamic Shari'a law."

However, Hakimi said the Taliban is suspicious of some foreign aid organizations. He said the Islamic movement has divided aid groups into categories and that those who have an agenda that reflects something other than purely humanitarian interests would be considered "the enemy."

"Those who work for the enemy, we are against them and we will not let them work against our aims and goals. Such organizations are working against our honor and principles. They show no respect to our culture, traditions and Islamic way of life. The second group is those who are not suspected. They help people and provide humanitarian aid. We have never done anything to harm them," Hakimi said.

Hakim gave no further details and did not identify any particular aid groups.