Talibs pledge to help Maskhadov government

Monday, January 24, 2000 5:22 PM EST

ISLAMABAD, January 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Taliban movement of Afghanistan has pledged to render all kind of support to the secessionist government of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov after the sides coordiante the issue via diplomatic channels, Talib Foreign Minister Wakil Muttawakil told a news conference here on Monday.

He is staying in Islamabad on a three-day visit for consultations with the Pakistani leaders on the internal settlement of the situation in Afghanistan and bilateral relations.

Muttawakil dodged a direct reply when asked whether the Talibs intended to send weapons, military hardware adn militants to Chechnya, noting the Chechens themselves were good warriors and fighters.

He confirmed the fact of opening a Chechen embassy in Kabul but said the ambassador had not yet been appointed and had to be approved by the parliament of Ichkeria first.

Muttawakil said the Talib delegation had discussed Chechnya during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar on Monday.