June 27, 2000

Afghan opposition warns of large Taleban offensive
ISLAMABAD, June 26 (Reuters) - Afghan opposition forces on Monday warned that the ruling Taleban movement was preparing for a major offensive despite the threats of further sanctions by the United Nations that wants to end the war.

Attack on Afghanistan will be provocative: Rabbani
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Deposed Afghan President Professor Rabbani has said any air strike by Russia against the alleged terrorist training camps in Afghanistan would serve no purpose, but to provoke the Afghans.

The Education of a Holy Warrior
The New York Times Magazine
June 25, 2000
About two hours east of the Khyber Pass, in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, alongside the Grand Trunk Road, sits a school called the Haqqania madrasa. A madrasa is a Muslim religious seminary,

Afghanistan problem is that of entire central Asia
DUSHANBE, June 26 (Itar-Tass) - Afghanistan should not be left to cope with its tragedy on its own, believes Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmonov. "It is necessary to use every opportunity to quench the flames

U.N. Seeks Aid for Afghan Drought
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - A relentless drought in Afghanistan threatens to send as many as 2 million thirsty people in search of water - possibly to Pakistan, itself a victim of a protracted dry spell, the United Nations warned Monday.

Press-ECO - Pipeline
IRNA - 6/26 - The pipeline projects through Afghanistan to the sea outlet in Pakistan have still not got off the ground largely because of the continued Afghan conflict. It appears that with regard to the proposed

Islamic countries urged to set up trade bloc
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (AFP) - The Muslim world was urged Tuesday to set up an Islamic common market to counter its weakness against the dangers of globalisation.

Afghanistan willing to ban opium cultivation if adequately helped
KABUL, June 26 (AFP) - The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan promised on Monday they would totally ban opium cultivation if the international community agreed to rebuild the war-torn country's infrastructure.

U.N. Anti-drug Regional Meeting Held in Turkey
ANKARA (June 26) XINHUA - U.N. Deputy Secretary General Pino Arlacchi on Monday called on Western and Central Asian countries to "urgently" start a campaign against the production and trafficking of drugs, which have reached a "dangerous

Pakistan burns tonnes of drugs worth millions
By Raja Asghar
ISLAMABAD, June 26 (Reuters) - Pakistan on Monday burned more than 48 tonnes of narcotics worth hundreds of millions of dollars and said it was close to becoming opium poppy-free by the end of the year.

Elham not to face any problem in Afghanistan: Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Afghanistan's Taliban have said that Professor Rahim Elham deported by Pakistan on June 21 would face no problem in Afghanistan.

Iranian President's visit to China
by Barrister Harun ur Rashid - The Independent (Bengladesh)
Iran's President Mohammad Khatami went to China on 22 June for an official visit. The visit is seen as significant in many ways. It is reported that during the visit, Iran has concluded five agreements which include