April 20, 2000

Afghan opposition seeks peace talks - BBC
Opposition leader Ahmed Shah Masood has called for peace talks with the Taleban
Afghan opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood says he is ready to hold talks with the ruling Islamist Taleban militia

Afghan commander Masood ready to talk to Taleban
By Sergei Yakovlev
DUSHANBE, April 19 (Reuters) - Veteran Afghan opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood said on Wednesday he was ready to hold talks with the ruling Islamist Taleban militia in a bid to end decades of armed conflict in Afghanistan.

Taliban Shut Down Money Market
By AMIR SHAH
.c The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The ruling Taliban shut down Kabul's money market Wednesday to stop a freefall of the Afghan currency, which has nose-dived 30 percent in three weeks.

Six killed in Afghan fighting
ISLAMABAD (NNI): At least six persons were killed and scores of others wounded during clashes between the Afghan rival factions in northern Afghanistan.

Opp rules Out Monarchy in Afghanistan
TEHRAN (Internews) - A delegation of former Afghan King Zahir Shah, who is based in Rome, Italy, will shortly visit Pakistan to seek support for a Loya Jirga, an Afghan traditional council of elders.

Afghan’s repatriation from Iran begins
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The first round of repatriation of the Afghan refugees from Ispahan city of Iran has begun.

Measles play havoc in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): UNICEF says that measles has claimed scores of children’s lives in Ghor province of Afghanistan.

Central Asian leaders to hold security summit
TASHKENT, April 20 (Reuters) - Leaders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were expected in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on Thursday for a two-day summit on security in Central Asia.

Jordan begins trial of alleged bin Laden network
AMMAN, April 20 (AFP) - The trial of 28 people linked to suspected international terrorist Osama bin Laden and accused of plotting attacks on Western and tourist targets opened here on Thursday.

Japan supports Pakistan-India talks, ambassador says
.c Kyodo News Service
ISLAMABAD, April 20 (Kyodo) - The Japanese ambassador to Pakistan urged Indian and Pakistani leaders Thursday to resume long-stalled dialogues to resolve issues between the two countries.