Afghan Taleban to monitor foreign agencies
06:08 p.m Dec 08, 1999 Eastern

ISLAMABAD, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement said on Wednesday it would set up a commission to monitor foreign agencies working in the war-shattered country.

A meeting of the Taleban council of ministers in the capital Kabul directed the Culture and Information Ministry to set up the commission to ``see whether the activities of foreign agencies...conform to the rules of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,'' the Taleban's Voice of Shariat radio said.

The broadcast, monitored in Islamabad, did not specify which agencies were to be put under surveillance, but it appeared to refer to foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing relief to people hit by the prolonged civil war.

The new Taleban decision comes a year after foreign NGOs returned to Afghanistan after remaining out of the country for several months in a row over relocating their accommodation.

Wednesday's broadcast said another commission would be set up to authorise local publications and distribution of magazines and brochures issued by foreign agencies.

The Taleban movement says foreigners working in Afghanistan must adhere to its rigid policies and has drawn international criticism for barring women from education and working outside the home except in the medical sector.