May 1, 2000

Afghan foes to attend new peace talks in Saudi
RIYADH, May 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement and the opposition are due to hold a second round of peace talks next week in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Monday.

Taliban rule out direct talks with opposition in Jeddah
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban have ruled out the possibility of direct talks with the opposition northern alliance in the OIC sponsored meeting at Jeddah on May 7.

Afghan drought hits nomads
By Kate Clarke in Ghazni -BBC
Nomads in Afghanistan are desperately trying to survive one of the severest droughts in decades.
Hundreds of thousands of people have travelled north from the drought-ridden winter grazing areas around the southern city of Kandahar.

Afghan Opposition Commander Defects to Taliban
ISLAMABAD (May 1) XINHUA - An eminent opposition commander in Afghanistan has recently defected to the ruling Taliban militia along with some 3,000 supporters, news reports reaching here said Sunday.

Pakistans support to Taliban prolongs Afghan war: opposition
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Afghan opposition northern alliance has alleged that frequent support of Pakistan to the Taliban is one of the major causes of the continuation of Afghan war.

Support to terrorism: Pakistan denies US charges
WASHINGTON (May 1) : Pakistan on Sunday vehemently denied that it was in any way supporting or tolerating terrorism.

'Afghan peace lies in Loi Jirga'
ISLAMABAD (May 1) : Loi Jirga (Grand Assembly) of all Afghans can only provide a way out to the continuing Afghan impasse and to bring a lasting peace to the war-ravaged land.

UN to help convene Loya Jirga in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The United Nations would extend help to the Afghans in holding the traditional Loya Jirga inside Afghanistan to find a solution to the longstanding Afghan conflict.

Bid to smuggle arms from Afghanistan foiled
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN (NNI): The political administration in the tribal belt of South Waziristan Sunday foiled an attempt to smuggle in a huge quantity of arms that included anti-aircraft guns, mortar guns and over 900 shells.

Two Pak traders killed in Afghanistan
BAJAUR (NNI): Two traders of Bajaur Agency were killed and another injured when attacked by armed robbers in Kunar province of Afghanistan.