March 8, 2000

International Women's Day
Marking International Women's Day, the United Nations says that the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan are showing a new flexibility in their attitude towards women.

UN sees improvement in Taleban's attitude to women
By Tahir Ikram
ISLAMABAD, March 8 (Reuters) - U.N. officials said on Wednesday that Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement had softened its stringent attitude on women's access to education and health but had not altogether abandoned its hardline stand

Afghan peace talks continue in Jeddah
The latest attempt by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to mediate in the civil war in Afghanistan continues today on Wednesday in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

Afghans rivals to hold direct talks after Haj
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A senior official of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), Ibrahim Bakar Tuesday hinted at possibilities of direct talks between the Afghan warring factions after Haj if the ongoing Jeddah peace moot on Afghanistan

Taliban put their case at Jeddah talks
JEDDAH March 7: Representatives of Afghanistan's Taliban regime held peace talks with the ousted government here on Tuesday hosted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, an OIC official told AFP.

After agonizing, Clinton decides to visit Pakistan
By David Storey
WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - After agonizing for months on the political and diplomatic implications, President Bill Clinton announced on Tuesday that he would include Pakistan on a trip to India and Bangladesh later this month.

Despite U.S. Misgivings, Clinton to Visit Pakistan
By John Lancaster - Washington Post Staff Writer - Wednesday, March 8, 2000
Despite grave misgivings about Pakistan's military government and its possible links to terrorist groups, President Clinton has decided to include the country on his itinerary when he travels to South Asia later this month, administration officials announced

Gas pipeline: Iran, Pakistan reaffirm commitment
TEHRAN (March 8) : Iran and Pakistan reaffirmed on Tuesday their commitment to construct a natural gas pipeline between them, the Iranian oil ministry said.

Taleban burn tons of hashish, heroin
KABUL (March 8) : The Taleban authorities burned tons of hashish and hundreds of pounds of heroin in southern Kandahar on Tuesday in an attempt to curb a rampant drug trade in their war-battered country, a Taleban spokesman said.

US May Ease Sanctions Against Iran on Carpets, Caviar, Nuts
Washington, March 7 (Bloomberg) -- If the U.S. Clinton administration lifts economic sanctions on Iranian carpets, caviar and pistachios, it will mainly boost small U.S. businesses and consumers who crave the luxury goods.