AFGHAN FAMINE (VOA, 7 JAN)

DATE=1/7/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-224925 TITLE=AFGHAN FAMINE (S) BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL DATELINE=ISLAMABAD CONTENT= VOICED AT:

INTRO: TALEBAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY MAY RECONSIDER THEIR DECISION TO BLOCK FOOD DELIVERIES TO PEOPLE FACING STARVATION IN CENTRAL AFGHANISTAN, IF OPPOSITION FORCES RELEASE TALEBAN PRISONERS OF WAR. CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL REPORTS.

TEXT: THE TALEBAN ARE BLOCKING THE UNITED NATIONS FROM DELIVERING FOOD TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN CENTRAL BAMIYAN PROVINCE.

THE TALEBAN TOLD U-N OFFICIALS THEY MAY RECONSIDER THEIR DECISION TO CONTINUE BOMBING BAMIYAN IF THE HEZB-I-WAHDAT FACTION RELEASES PRISONERS OF WAR. A TOP U-N OFFICIAL SAYS SUCH CONDITIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

U-N COORDINATOR FOR AFGHANISTAN -- ALFREDO WITSCHI-CESTARI -- SAYS -- HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A WEAPON OF WAR. THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS 160-THOUSAND PEOPLE MAY STARVE IF SUPPLIES ARE NOT DELIVERED.

THE TALEBAN RECENTLY BOMBED THE AIR STRIP IN BAMIYAN FORCING THE UNITED NATIONS TO SUSPEND AN EMERGENCY AIRLIFT OF WHEAT. BAMIYAN IS CONTROLLED BY HEZB-I-WAHDAT, WHICH IS PART OF AN ALLIANCE FIGHTING THE TALEBAN IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN.

A TALEBAN BLOCKADE AND A LACK OF SECURITY IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN HAVE VIRTUALLY STOPPED FOOD DELIVERIES BY ROAD. (SIGNED)