December 30, 2000

US alarm at Russian arms sale to Iran
FROM GILES WHITTELL IN MOSCOW - The Times
RUSSIA’S plan to resume arms sales to Iran has triggered a diplomatic scramble to stop the collapse of an arms embargo that Washington considers to be a mainstay of Middle Eastern security.

British Muslims take path to jihad
Kashmir terror group claims suicide bomber was from Birmingham
Jeevan Vasagar and Vikram Dodd Friday December 29, 2000 The Guardian
Hundreds of young British Muslims have fought for religious causes around the world, an Islamic leader claimed yesterday, following reports naming a student from Birmingham

Long-dead singing star revived on Tajik brandy
By David Filipov, Boston Globe Staff, 12/29/2000
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - It was easy enough for the well-traveled correspondent to break Travel Rule No. 3.

Procession of plunderers erase a cultural history
Archaeologists wonder where Kabul museum's artifact have wound up, if they still exist, writes Luke Harding in the Afghan capital. Sydney Morning Herald

Turkmenistan Frees 57 Afghan Prisoners
Saturday, December 30, 2000 12:10 PM EST
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan has freed 57 Afghan prisoners after talks with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement, the Taliban-controlled radio said on Saturday.