March 18, 1999

Afghan rivals clash despite weekend power-sharing deal
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Date: 18 Mar 1999
ISLAMABAD, March 18 (AFP) - Afghanistan's Taliban militia and troops loyal to rival commander Ahmad Shah Masood have fought battles in Parwan province north of Kabul, five days after reaching an accord to negotiate a

Afghan factions said fighting after peace talks
09:26 a.m. Mar 18, 1999 Eastern
ISLAMABAD, March 18 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's rival forces fought with artillery and tanks north of the capital Kabul for a second day running on Thursday, just days after they reached a tentative agreement to share power, a

Afghan opposition leader supports peace initiative
10:12 a.m. Mar 18, 1999 Eastern
DUSHANBE, March 18 (Reuters) - Ahmad Shah Masood, the last potent force fighting the purist Islamic Taleban movement in Afghanistan, said on Thursday that fighting would not resolve the country's prolonged civil conflict.

Afghan opposition leader reaffirms willingness to negotiate
DUSHANBE, March 18 (AFP) - Afghan opposition leader Ahmad Shah Masood on Thursday reasserted his willingness to conduct peace negotiations after he reached a UN-mediated accord with the ruling Taliban militia to

Taliban, Northern Alliance brace for another showdown
The News: Jang
Masud's spokesman claims killing 45 Taliban troops
By Behroz Khan
PESHAWAR: Contrary to the enthusiasm attached with the Ashkabad peace talks, the Taliban Islamic Movement and forces of the Northern Alliance brace for another showdown as both sides are rushing fresh enforcements to the
UNHRC sees "horrendous" breakdown in Kabul living conditions KABUL, March 18 (AFP) - The UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has found "horrendous" evidence of a breakdown in basic living conditions in Kabul, a UN special rapporteur said Thursday.

Britain, U.S., Wary of Afghanistan
By Kathy Gannon
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, March 18, 1999; 7:37 a.m. EST
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- The U.S. and British governments have refused to allow their citizens who work with the United Nations to return to Afghanistan, a U.N. official said today.

U.S., UK In Dispute With U.N. On Afghan Return
05:08 a.m. Mar 18, 1999 Eastern
By Andrew Hill
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A phased return of U.N. international staff to Afghanistan has become snarled in a dispute over British and U.S. fears of attacks by Saudi terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden, diplomats said Thursday.
India, Taliban establish direct contacts: Telegraph NEW DELHI (NNI): India and Taliban have established direct contacts, an Indian daily, The Telegraph, reported Wednesday. Hekmatyar terms Ashkabad accord ambiguous ISLAMABAD (NNI): Former Afghan Prime Minister and head of Hezb-e-Islami, Gulbadin Hekmatyr has termed Ashgabat accord ambiguous.