January 22, 2000

Afghan Taleban assures Chechens of support
12:04 p.m. Jan 21, 2000 Eastern
KABUL, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement, the first government to recognise the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya, said on Friday it would offer all possible assistance to the Chechens in their fight against Moscow.

asefi denies establishment of diplomatic ties with taliban
tehran, jan. 22, irna -- foreign ministry spokesman hamid-reza asefi here on saturday denied claims of establishment of any kind of diplomatic ties with taliban by iran. asefi, stressing that afghan muslim government is the sole legal government of afghanistan

Taliban warn US against killing, arresting bin Laden
Saturday, January 22 1:31 AM SGT
KABUL, Jan 21 (AFP) - The Taliban militia in Afghanistan has warned the United States of a serious reaction if terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden was killed or arrested, official Radio Shariat said Friday.

Iranian delegation meets Taliban
WASHINGTON (NNI): An Iranian delegation has held talks with the ruling Taliban officials in Kabul.
"The visit of the Iranian delegation is aimed at inspecting Tehrans missions in Herat, Kabul and Jalalabad. Its member also held talks with the Taliban Deputy Trade Minister" said Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Mutawakel in an interview with

US welcomes Pak-Iran cooperation for Afghan settlement
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The US Assistant Secretary of State, Karl Inderfurth Friday welcomed Pakistans engagements with Iran to find out a peaceful solution of the long-standing Afghan conflict.

Taliban turn down US request to hand Osama
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Afghanistan ruling Taliban have again turned down the United States request to hand over Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden for trial on charges of terrorism, renewing assurance that he will not operate against

New UN envoy on Afghanistan to visit Pakistan on Feb. 3
ISLAMABAD (NNI): United Nations Secretary Generals new envoy for Afghanistan Francesc Vendrell will embark on his first visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan on February 3, UN spokesperson said Friday.

Russians in Chechnya 'murdering and raping'
By Marcus Warren in Moscow
Electronic Telegraph
Saturday 22 January 2000
RUSSIAN soldiers in Chechnya were accused yesterday of raping local women and killing at least one of their victims.

Revenue Board urged to cut customs duty on smuggled vehicles
IQBAL KHATTAK
Business Recorder
PESHAWAR (January 22) : A tax collection authority has urged the Central Board of Revenue (Revenue Board) to lower duty on non-custom-paid vehicles as amnesty scheme goes unnoticed since its announcement on December 16, last year."