January 21, 1999

Afghan Opposition Claims Gains
Thursday, January 21, 1999; 3:08 p.m. EST
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Tribesmen battled with members of the ruling Taliban militia in southern Afghanistan after being ordered to stop a traditional pastime -- gambling at an egg-breaking contest. Twelve people were killed, a private news agency reported Thursday.

Afghan skirmishes: conflicting claims

Anti-Taleban forces in northern Afghanistan say they've captured several areas, notably in the province of Faryab. The Taleban deny this.
Anti-Taliban troops press northwards
Thu 21 Jan 99 - 10:29 GMT
KABUL, Jan 21 (AFP) - Anti-Taliban forces have escalated fighting in far northwest Afghanistan and partially shut down a strategic supply route which stems from Iran, independent sources said Thursday.
Laden Makes 1st Public Appearance Since Last August
Thursday, January 21, 1999 12:29 PM EST
ISLAMABAD (Jan. 21) XINHUA - The self-exiled Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden, made his first public appearance Monday when he offered Eid prayers at a mosque in Kandahar, the headquarters of the Taliban militia in southern Afghanistan.

UN Wants Taliban `Sanctuary' Ended

By Edith M. Lederer
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, January 20, 1999; 6:10 p.m. EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. Security Council demanded Wednesday that Afghanistan's Taliban militia stop sheltering international terrorists and bring those indicted to justice -- a clear reference to Osama bin Laden.

U.N. council again calls for Afghanistan ceasefire
07:40 p.m Jan 20, 1999 Eastern
By Anthony Goodman
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The Security Council issued a new demand on Wednesday for the Islamist Taleban and other warring groups in Afghanistan to stop fighting and resume negotiations on establishing a broad-based government.

Diplomatic efforts for Afghan peace to intensify
ISLAMABAD: Diplomatic efforts in the region will intensify in the couple of weeks to promote a negotiated settlement of the long-standing Afghan imbroglio, officials said on Wednesday.

" Our father Abdul Rahim Ghafoorzai, and his Dream "

by
Sulaiman, Sediq, Youssof and Omar Ghafoorzai

"Prompted by a sense of responsibility, as an independent figure, not affiliated to any of the active political parties, I have prepared myself to assume the post of head of government at the most gravest juncture of our nations political life."