March 11, 2000

Japan in touch with Afghan factions, ambassador says
.c Kyodo News Service
ISLAMABAD, March 10 (Kyodo) - The Japanese government is in touch with the Northern Alliance and Taliban as part of its efforts to promote a peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict, Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Minoru Kubota said

Japan funds bridge project in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, March 10 (AFP) - Japan on Friday gave a 49,075-dollar grant for the construction of a road bridge in Afghanistan, the Japanese embassy here said.

Afghan opposition hails OIC initiative on Afghan peace
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The leader of the anti-Taliban northern alliance in Jeddah peace talks on Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah has appreciated the OIC initiative to invite the Afghan warring factions to peace talks, reports Radio Tehran.

Clinton says Pakistan visit not an "endorsement" of military rule
WASHINGTON, March 9 (AFP) - US President Bill Clinton said Thursday it would be an error to skip Pakistan on his upcoming South Asia tour, but that his visit should not be seen as an endorsement of the Islamabad military regime.

Clinton's visit: Government orders closure of all Afghan offices
Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD (March 10) : Pakistan has launched a low profile 'soft crackdown' on Afghan groups on its territory ahead of US President Bill Clinton's trip to the country later this month.

Pakistan important for key US interests: Inderfurth
Business Recorder
WASHINGTON (March 11) : Karl Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, said on Thursday that it was important that President Clinton should engage with Pakistan at this time as it was important to a number of key US

Bin Laden Weakened, Officials Say
By David A. Vise and Lorraine Adams - Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, March 11, 2000; Page A03
Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden's terrorist network has been seriously weakened by arrests on three continents, infiltration by confidential informants and electronic eavesdropping by intelligence services, according to U.S. and foreign government officials