August 11, 2000

Key Afghan town still under threat from Taliban
KABUL, Aug 10 (AFP) - Afghan opposition troops captured some high ground near Taloqan early Thursday as the ruling Taliban militia regrouped for another assault on the embattled city, resistance sources said.

Iran concerned over Afghan fighting
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Iran has expressed concerned over fighting in northern Afghanistan and said the fresh hostilities have multiplied the sufferings of Afghans.

Loya Jirga team concludes talks with Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A team of the former Afghan King Zahir Shah concluded talks with Taliban on the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) and Thursday returned to Islamabad, an organizer of the Jirga said.

DEPT OF STATE: U.S. condemns murder of Afghan humanitarian deminers -- Press Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
AUG 11, 2000, M2 Communications - The United States condemns the brutal attack on a group of Afghan humanitarian deminers and five other Afghan citizens traveling with them over the weekend and extends sincere condolences to the families

ANALYSIS-C.Asian unrest shows region's vulnerability
By Mike Collett-White
ALMATY, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Growing violence this week along the southern belt of oil-rich Central Asia has served as a stark reminder to leaders, diplomats and businesses that turbulence in the region is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

Russian say hit rebel group outside Chechnya
MOSCOW, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Russian troops have killed at least six rebels in a rare clash with Chechen guerrillas outside the region, a Russian spokesman for Chechnya said on Friday.

Russia Accuses British Agency
By ANGELA CHARLTON
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia is accusing a British nonprofit mine-clearing agency of spying on Russian forces in Chechnya and training rebels in the breakaway republic.

Pakistan and Afghanistan: Can they build a common destiny?
By A. Abdulla and K. Hasan - DAWN (Pakistan) opinion 8/10/00
THE nature of relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a very delicate one. Leaving aside the recent realities (past 20 years) of the close brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan during the