March 7, 1999

Afghan Taleban defends woman policy, decries West
10:00 a.m. Mar 07, 1999 Eastern
KABUL, March 7 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban Islamic movement on Sunday defended its treatment of women and, on the eve of international women's day, accused its Western critics of rights violations.

Hillary critical of Taliban for trampling women's rights
WASHINGTON (NNI): The US First Lady, Hillary Clinton Saturday criticised Taliban for trampling women rights in war-ravaged Afghanistan, reports VOA.

Aziz optimistic about Ashgabat talks on Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz Saturday said the forthcoming talks between the Taliban and Ahmed Shah Masood in Ashgabat may make progress as it is generally easy for the two parties to hold useful talks instead of six or eight parties.

Ousted Afghan president calls for unified front to "save" nation Sun 07 Mar 99 - 10:05 GMT
TEHRAN, March 7 (AFP) - Ousted Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani called on his compatriots worldwide Sunday to form a national front to "save" the war-torn country, now mostly controlled by the Taliban militia that overthrew him.

Taliban rivals seek political settlement
urge broad agenda for peace parleys
KABUL (Agencies) - The anti-Taliban Northern Alliance Saturday described its forthcoming talks with the militia in Turkmenistan as a positive step, hoping the meeting would focus on finding a peaceful settlement.

Taliban deny clash with Osama supporters
WASHINGTON (NNI): Taliban have denied US newspaper report that Taliban and supporters of Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden have clashed, reports VOA.

UN envoy in Tehran for talks on Afghan issue
TEHRAN (NNI): UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy on Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi arrived here Saturday in an effort to restore peace to the war-torn Afghanistan. Upon his arrival, Brahimi told reporters that

Murderer executed in Balkh province
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban authorities Saturday executed a murderer and amputated the hand of a thief in Balkh province, reports Bakhtar news agency.