May 18, 2000

Afghans Discuss Peace Initiative During U.S. and U.N. Visits
Former King’s Envoys Promote “Loya Jirga” Plan Amid Flurry of Activities
By Omar Samad
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2000 - AAR - Two Afghan delegations are in the United States this week to promote the “emergency Loya Jirga” plan proposed by the former Afghan King, M. Zahir Shah, as a viable option to resolve the

Clinton says bin Laden behind bomb plot
By Steve Holland
NEW LONDON, Conn., May 17 (Reuters) - President Bill Clinton accused Saudi exile Osama bin Laden on Wednesday of being behind a plot late last year he said was aimed at placing bombs at millennium celebration sites in America.

Bin Laden Runs a Clandestine Network
By KATHY GANNON
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Sheltered by his Taliban hosts and constantly on the move, Osama bin Laden reportedly spends most of his time overseeing three terrorist training camps in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.

Donors warn Afghan rivals on fighting, aid
ISLAMABAD, May 17 (Reuters) - Major donors of humanitarian aid have warned that a resumption of fighting will dim prospects for future assistance to war-torn Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

U.N. to dig wells in drought-hit Afghan areas
By Sayed Salahuddin
KABUL, May 18 (Reuters) - The United Nations and relief agenices have drawn up a plan to dig hand pump wells in drought-stricken southern Afghanistan, a U.N. report said on Thursday.

Kabul to be asked to accept cease-fire: Gen Musharraf
ASHKABAD, May 16: Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday that the Northern Alliance and the Afghan government should first accept ceasefire and then embark on some formula for the resolution of the Afghanistan

RAFIQ TARAR: PAKISTAN DESIRES DURABLE PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN
ISLAMABAD, MAY 17, IRNA -- THE PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN, MOHAMMAD RAFIQ TARAR ON WEDNESDAY SAID PAKISTAN DESIRED ESTABLISHMENT OF DURABLE PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN.

Cross-border movement to be regulated: Taliban to cut transit trade list
ISLAMABAD, May 16: Afghanistan on Tuesday agreed in principle to Pakistan's proposal to regulate the movement of people across the borders to check smuggling, drug trade, gun running, carjacking and escape of fugitives.

NLFA leaders meet Taliban minister
By our correspondent - The News International (Pakistan)
ISLAMABAD: Efforts for peace in Afghanistan from within and outside the country are continuing and the latest to join the drive is the National Liberation Front of Afghanistan (NLFA).

Afghan Opposition Commander Defects to Taliban: Report
ISLAMABAD (May 18) XINHUA - An Afghan opposition commander has defected to the ruling Taliban militia along with 200 fighters, reported the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP on Thursday.

Ismail Khan - The News International - Pakistan
IRAN: UN Envoy on Afghanistan Francesc Vendrell told AFP on Wednesday that he had met Afghan opposition leader Ismail Khan, who escaped from a Taliban jail in March. Vendrell said he had met Khan and former Afghan Uzbek warlord

An Eye for an Eye
WEB-ONLY INTERVIEW
Afghanistan's Minister of Justice gives his first ever interview to a foreign journalist
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, perhaps the most isolated government in the world, is routinely accused of repression at home and support for terrorism abroad. In a rare show of openness, two of the Taliban's leading figures agreed to meet


'Washington Needs An Enemy'
WEB-ONLY INTERVIEW
A leading member of Afghanistan's Taliban speaks about terrorism, Osama bin Laden and human rights
By MICHAEL FATHERS
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, perhaps the most isolated government in the world, is routinely accused of repression at home and support for terrorism abroad. In a rare show of openness, two of the Taliban's leading figures agreed to meet