August 31, 2000

DEFUSING TERRORISM AT GROUND ZERO: WHY A NEW U.S. POLICY IS NEEDED FOR AFGHANISTAN (by James Phillips - Heritage Foundation)

Feminist Majority Foundation's "Back to School for Afghan Women" Campaign

Afghan peace talks 'encouraging'
By Kate Clark in Kabul - BBC
Wednesday, 30 August, 2000, 15:33 GMT 16:33 UK
A special envoy from Turkmenistan, Boris Sheikhmuradov, has said he is encouraged after discussing a new peace initiative with the Taleban in Afghanistan.

Central Asia wrong on Taliban threat: Turkmen envoy
KABUL, Aug 30 (AFP) -
A special Turkmen envoy to Afghanistan Wednesday said other Central Asian states were wrong about the alleged threat from the ruling Taliban militia despite the rising tide of Islamic militancy in the region.

Turkmen President's emissary dashes to Islamabad
Islamabad, Aug. 30, IRNA -- The special emissary of the Turkmen President, Boris Sheikhmuradov arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Turkmenistan proposes re-routing of gas pipeline
By Umer Farooq - The News 8/31
ISLAMABAD: The possibility of launching renewed efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan, which could pave the way for mega projects such as Pak-Turkmenistan gas-pipeline, would be the main focus of the Pak-Turkmenistan talks, an official told The

Afghan opposition claims victories against Taleban
KABUL, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Afghan opposition forces said on Thursday they had recaptured strategic territory from the ruling Taleban movement in the northern province of Baghlan.

Afghan oppn claim capture of eastern district
The Times of India - 8/30
ISLAMABAD: Afghan opposition forces claimed on Wednesday that they had taken control of a district in the eastern Nangarhar province which borders Pakistan, a private news agency reported.

Taliban release 85 prisoners
Islamabad, Aug. 30, IRNA -- A Pakistani newspaper on Wednesday reported that Taliban have released 85 prisoners from jail in Kandahar.

No peace talks underway with opposition: Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban Wednesday denied they have asked Harkat-e-Islami to help arrange peace talks with the opposition Northern Alliance.

Thousands flee drought in central Afghanistan
GENEVA, Aug 30 (The Times of India): Thousands of Afghans are fleeing drought conditions in central Afghanistan for the western city of Herat, the World Food Program said on Tuesday.

UN lacks funds to repatriate Afghan refugees
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (AFP) - The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is
desperately short of funds to carry out its voluntary repatriation programme

UN threats can’t force Taliban to expel Osama: Omar
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban’s supreme leader Mulla Muhammad Omar has said that the UN’s threats cannot force the student militia to expel Osama bin Laden from Afghanistan.

Mulla Rabbani in Pakistan for medical treatment
Islamabad, Aug. 30, IRNA -- Mulla Rabbani, Chairman of Taliban's Ruling Council, arrived in Islamabad for medical treatment.

238 more Afghans repatriated from central Isfahan
Isfahan, Aug 30, IRNA -- Another 238 Afghan refugees returned home from this central province as part of a voluntary repatriation program

Lt Gen Yousaf replaces Lt Gen Aziz as CGS
Major reshuffle in Army on the cards
By Shakil Shaikh - The News (Pakistan)
ISLAMABAD: Corps Commander Multan Lt Gen Mohammad Yousaf has been appointed Chief of General Staff (CGS) in place of Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz, a senior official told The News on Wednesday.