AFGHAN PRISONERS (VOA, 8 JAN)

DATE=1/8/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-224966 TITLE=AFGHAN PRISONERS (S) BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL DATELINE=ISLAMABAD CONTENT= VOICED AT:

INTRO: THE TALEBAN HAVE REPORTEDLY RELEASED 28 PRISONERS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, IN WHAT A SPOKESMAN IS CALLING "A GOOD WILL GESTURE." V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE AFGHAN ISLAMIC PRESS (AIP) REPORTS THE TALEBAN RELEASED PRISONERS OF THE HEZB-I-WAHDAT -- ONE OF THE FACTIONS FIGHTING THE TALEBAN IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN.

THE UNILATERAL RELEASE CAME ONE DAY AFTER THE TALEBAN SAID THEY WOULD RECONSIDER A BLOCKADE OF BAMIYAN PROVINCE IF THE OPPOSITION RELEASES MORE TALEBAN P-O-W'S. BAMIYAN IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE HEZB-I-WAHDAT.

THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS A TALEBAN BLOCKADE OF THE PROVINCE HAS LED TO SEVERE FOOD SHORTAGES IN CENTRAL AFGHANISTAN. U-N OFFICIALS SAY 160-THOUSAND PEOPLE FACE STARVATION BECAUSE OF THE TALEBAN BLOCKADE.

RECENT ATTACKS ON BAMIYAN'S AIR FIELD FORCED THE UNITED NATIONS TO STOP AN EMERGENCY AIRLIFT OF FOOD TO BAMIYAN. U-N OFFICIALS CONDEMNED THE ATTACKS AND ASKED THE TALEBAN FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES SO THE AIRLIFT CAN CONTINUE.

SO FAR THE TALEBAN HAVE REJECTED THOSE REQUESTS. (SIGNED)