December 7, 1999

Pakistan's Musharraf hopes for Afghan peace
ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Pakistan's new military ruler on Tuesday signalled no change in Islamabad's backing for Afghanistan's Taleban movement but said he hoped a visit to Iran this week might give peace hopes a push.

Afghanistan's warring sides sit down for rare deal
NO MAN'S LAND, Afghanistan, Dec 7 (AFP) - They came from both sides and sat cross-legged in a circle in the middle of the road. Around them lay no man's land, dividing the frontlines north of the Afghan capital Kabul.

Afghan opposition captures Sangcharaks capital
TEHRAN (NNI): The anti-Taliban Northern Alliance Monday claimed to have captured Topdar the capital of Sangcharak district in northern Afghanistan, reports Radio Tehran

Pakistan Freezes Taliban's Bank Accounts
Tuesday, December 07, 1999 8:07 AM EST
ISLAMABAD (Dec. 7) XINHUA - Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar Tuesday said that Pakistan has closed branches of Afghan banks on its soil and frozen bank accounts of the Taliban to implement the U.N. Security Council resolution

Clinton Criticizes on Human Rights
Tuesday, December 07, 1999 6:18 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Clinton is critical of China's crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement and says Russia ``will pay a heavy price'' if it carries out its threatened destruction of the Chechen capital of Grozny.

THE WHITE HOUSE: Fact sheet -- Taliban persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan
Tuesday, December 07, 1999 7:07 AM EST
DEC 7, 1999, M2 Communications - In commemoration of Human Rights Day, President Clinton is announcing new U.S. policy initiatives to address the circumstances of Afghans, especially women and girls, who have suffered serious human rights

UN moves convoy of food for refugees in enemy territory
The Times of India
Tuesday 7 December 1999
KABUL: After negotiating safe passage with the ruling Taliban and clearing landmines, the United Nations on Monday moved 90 tones of food to cold and hungry refugees in enemy territory, officials said.

Afghan Taleban seeks pilgrim, relief flights
12:44 p.m. Dec 06, 1999 Eastern
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's sanctions-hit ruling Taleban movement on Monday asked for U.N. permission for its state Ariana airline to send flights to Saudi Arabia to take Moslem pilgrims there and bring back stranded Afghans.

Taliban deny existence of training camps
Dawn
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Taliban have assured Pakistan of closing down terrorist camps, if any, on their soil. Taliban say they are unaware of such camps in Afghanistan but are ready to eliminate the same if identified by Pakistan, diplomatic sources told

Afghan Taleban said ready to shut terrorist camps
10:58 a.m. Dec 06, 1999 Eastern
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement has assured neighbouring Pakistan it will close down any terrorist training camps it finds on its soil, Islamabad's official APP news agency said on Monday..

Taliban block UN food supplies to Panjsher
TEHRAN (NNI): The ruling Taliban in Afghanistan have blocked UN aid supplies to Panjsher, reports Radio Tehran.

Afghan envoy denies blocking humanitarian aid to refugees
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Afghanistans ambassador-designate Syed Muhammad Haqqani Monday denied reports that the Taliban authorities were blocking United Nations humanitarian assistance to displaced refugees in Panjsher valley in northern

Impacts of UN sanctions on Afghanistan not visible
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The impacts of the UN economic sanctions on Afghanistan are very little as the only visible effect is that the Ariana Afghan airline remains non-operational, reports BBC.