AFGHAN TALKS (VOA, 7 JAN)

DATE=1/7/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-224910 TITLE=AFGHAN TALKS (S) BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL DATELINE=ISLAMABAD CONTENT= VOICED AT:

INTRO: PAKISTAN AND IRAN HAVE REPORTEDLY AGREED TO LAUNCH A COORDINATED EFFORT TO END THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE OFFICIAL PAKISTAN NEWS AGENCY (APP) REPORTS IRANIAN AND PAKISTANI OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BRING PEACE TO WAR-TORN AFGHANISTAN.

IN A REPORT QUOTING TEHRAN RADIO, THE AGENCY SAYS IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER -- KAMAL KHARAZI -- AND PAKISTAN'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR AFGHANISTAN -- IFTIKHAR MURSHID -- AGREED TO SEEK A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO THE AFGHAN WAR.

THE REPORT QUOTED THE PAKISTANI ENVOY AS SAYING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE WARRING PARTIES IS THE ONLY WAY TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES. THE IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER REPORTEDLY CALLED FOR AN END TO INTERFERENCE IN AFGHANISTAN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

IRAN AND PAKISTAN HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH SENDING WEAPONS TO OPPOSING SIDES IN AFGHANISTAN, ALTHOUGH BOTH COUNTRIES DENY THE ALLEGATION.

PAKISTAN RECOGNIZES THE TALEBAN AS THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN, WHILE IRAN RECOGNIZES THE OUSTED GOVERNMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT BURHANUDDIN RABBANI. (SIGNED)