April 3, 2000

Afghan opposition leader speaks out
The veteran Afghan commander, Ismail Khan, who escaped from a Taleban prison in Kandahar last week, has spoken publicly for the first time since he got free.

Taliban commander defects to opposition
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A prominent commander of Taliban along with his 30 companions has joined the opposition northern alliance, reports Radio Tehran.

UN terms Afghan situation deteriorating
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The UN special Human Rights rapporteur for Afghanistan, Dr. Kamal Hussain has termed the situation in Afghanistan as quite deteriorating saying human rights are still being trampled in the war-ravaged country.

Afghan Woman Decries Taliban
By SHEILA HOTCHKIN
.c The Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) - Frayba Wakili of an Afghanistan spent her second day in the United States at an international feminist conference pleading for help for women in her homeland who remain under the control of the Taliban.

Recovering the treasures of Afghanistan
April 3, 2000 - From CNN Correspondent Nic Robertson
KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Scarred and pockmarked from years of shelling in the country's ongoing civil war, Afghanistan's national museum in Kabul is now poised to undergo a revival.

Iranian deputy FM arrives on April 5 for Afghan talks
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsin Aminzade is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on April 5 (Wednesday) for talks with Pakistani officials on bilateral issues, focussing on Afghan problem, officials said Sunday.

NWFP for lifting of ban on land route trade with CARs, Afghanistan
By Intikhab Amir - DAWN
NWFP government has moved Islamabad to get the ban on the trade with the Central Asian Republics (CAR) and Afghanistan through the land route lifted.

Pakistani leader warns US ties deteriorating at end of SE Asian tour
BANGKOK, April 3 (AFP) - Pakistan's military leader General Pervez Musharraf on Monday warned Washington and Islamabad were edging further apart on dangerous issues.