January 27, 1999

Taliban slam India for trying to implicate bin Laden: report
Wed 27 Jan 99 - 07:50 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia Wednesday lashed out at India, saying it wanted to "please" Washington by linking Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden to a Bangladeshi national accused of involvement in an anti-US plot.

Taliban seeks improved relations with Iran
Wed 27 Jan 99 - 12:46 GMT
KABUL, Jan 27 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban seeks improved relations with neighbouring Iran and stands ready to negotiate with Tehran over outstanding disputes, the Taliban foreign ministry said Wednesday.

Taleban says ready for talks with Iran
05:29 a.m. Jan 27, 1999 Eastern
KABUL, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Taleban movement said on Wednesday it was prepared to hold talks with neighbouring Iran to try to end disputes between the countries.
 

Pakistan, Turkmenistan want broader Afghan govt
09:53 a.m. Jan 27, 1999 Eastern
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Wednesday called for the formation of ``a broad-based and multi-ethnic government'' in war-torn Afghanistan.

Taliban call for return of UN international staff to Afghanistan
KANDAHAR: Taliban have urged a senior United Nations official to send the UN international staff to Afghanistan, assuring him that the Islamic militia would provide protection to the UN staff members, Taliban sources said.

Taliban agree to help probe in UN official murder case
ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan's dominate Taliban have agreed in principle to help investigate the murder of a UN official in Kabul last year, UN sources said on Tuesday.

Pakistan, Turkmenistan back UN, OIC bid for Afghan peace
Frontier Post

From SIKANDER HAYAT

ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz held talks on Tuesday with his Turkmen counterpart Boris Shikhmuradov which discussions focussed on the situation in Afghanistan and also on ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

U.S. presses Taliban to expel bin Laden
07:44 p.m Jan 26, 1999 Eastern
WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The United States made a new appeal on Tuesday for Afghanistan to expel indicted Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, stressing it does not oppose any particular Afghan political faction.

Pakistan, Turkmenistan resolve to go ahead with gas pipeline project
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Tuesday resolved to go ahead with the proposed 2 billion-dollar gas pipeline project between the two countries through their troubled common neighbor--Afghanistan.

PM's secret agency behind high-profile murders: Bhutto
Frontier Post

From MANZOOR CHANDIO

KARACHI - Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto Tuesday alleged that "a secret private intelligence agency of Nawaz Sharif" was responsible for all-high profile murders, including that of her estranged brother Mir Murtaza Bhutto.

Afghanistan Weekly update Issue No. 299
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date: 26 Jan 1999
Visit to Kandahar
On 25 January the UN Coordinator, Erick de Mul, traveled to Kandahar for meetings with the Taliban leadership. Outstanding security issues were discussed as well as the conditions for the return of UN international staff to

Signs of thaw in Pak-Iran ties
The News: Jang (Opinion)
Nasim Zehra

Tehran's rancour towards Islamabad has already peaked. Dialogue between Islamabad and Tehran has replaced Tehran's open anger towards Islamabad. Tehran's accusatory monologue targeting Pakistan, which had reached