January 23, 2000

Chechen Rebels Open Afghan Embassy
The Associated Press
Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000; 10:10 a.m. EST
KABUL, Afghanistan –– One week after the Taliban gave official recognition to an independent Chechnya, the breakaway Russian republic opened its embassy in Kabul, a radio station reported Sunday.

FOCUS-Chechen ``embassy'' opens in Taleban's Kabul
10:49 a.m. Jan 23, 2000 Eastern
KABUL, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya opened an embassy in Afghanistan on Sunday as Russian artillery pounded the Chechen capital Grozny.

Taliban foreign minister arrives in Pakistan
Sunday, January 23 4:50 PM SGT
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (AFP) - Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Wakil Ahmad Mutwakil arrived here Sunday on an official visit to Pakistan, flying on board a United Nations plane.

Taleban foreign minister visits Pakistan
The foreign affairs spokesman of the Taleban authorities in Afghanistan has arrived for talks in Pakistan -- one of only three countries which officially recognise the Taleban as the legitimate Afghan government.

Fighting breaks out in north Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Fighting has broken out in a northern province in Afghanistan between the Taliban militia and opposition troops, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported on Saturday.

Bin Laden hid behind relief organization - report
January 23, 2000
Web posted at: 8:09 a.m. EST (1309 GMT)
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Federal prosecutors say Osama bin Laden used international companies and a relief organization as covers for what they describe as a worldwide terrorist conspiracy, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

Pakistan active for resumption of Taliban-Opposition talks
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Pakistan is trying to bring Afghan warring factions to negotiation table and the issue will be discuss with Afghan Foreign Minister Maulvi Wakil Ahmed Mutawakel who arrives in Islamabad on Sunday (January 23) on three-day

UN to expand activities in Afghanistan: Envoy
ISLAMABAD (NNI): New UN Secretary Generals envoy for Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell has said he will discuss host of issues, confronting Afghan peace process in Afghanistan during his upcoming visit to the region, including Pakistan and

Tehran rules out diplomatic ties with Taliban
TEHRAN (NNI): Despite the presence of an Iranian diplomatic delegation in Kabul, Iran on Saturday ruled out the possibility of recognizing and establishing diplomatic ties with the Afghan ruling Taliban militia.

Taliban hope talks with US to remove misunderstandings
WASHINGTON (NNI): The Afghanistan ruling Taliban have expressed the hope that their recent negotiations with the United States would yield positive results and help remove misunderstandings between the two sides.