November 30, 2000

US Gives Taliban Last Ultimatum Over Bin Laden
HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Afghanistan's Taliban movement has received what U.S. officials say is a final U.S. ultimatum to hand over Saudi-born terrorist Osama Bin Laden or face the consequences, the Far Eastern Economic Review reports in

Tashkent denies bases could be used in airstrikes on Afghanistan
TASHKENT, Nov 29 (AFP) - Tashkent dismissed as provocation Wednesday reports that the United States will launch air strikes on war-torn Afghanistan from bases in the Central Asian republic. Taleban condemns U.N. Afghan sanctions
By Jack Redden
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (Reuters) - An unbowed Afghanistan lashed out on Thursday at a U.S. and Russian proposal to increase sanctions against the ruling Taleban movement, saying they would further impoverish the country.

Unbowed Taleban condemns U.N. Afghan sanctions
By Jack Redden
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (Reuters) - An unbowed Afghanistan lashed out on Thursday at a U.S. and Russian proposal to increase sanctions against the ruling Taleban movement, saying they would further impoverish the country.

Russia, US, prepare unusual anti-Taliban sanctions
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Despite U.N. efforts to start peace talks in Afghanistan, the United States and Russia want to impose an arms embargo against Afghanistan's Taliban rulers but not ban weapons reaching fighters opposing them.

UN Sanctions Fears Send Afghani Plunging, Prices Soaring
KABUL (AP)--Fears of more United Nations sanctions against war-weary Afghanistan is causing the country's beleaguered currency to nosedive and food prices to soar, finance ministry official said Thursday.

India, US hold talks on Afghanistan
NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (AFP) - India and the United States held discussions Thursday on Afghanistan and called for the formation of a broad-based government to replace the Taliban regime in Kabul.

UN special envoy in India for talks on Afghan conflict
NEW DELHI, Nov 29 (AFP) - The UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Francese Vendrell, held talks with Indian officials here Wednesday on the conflict in Afghanistan, officials said.

Peaceful Afghanistan in interest of Iran, Pakistan: diplomat
Islamabad, Nov 30, IRNA -- A Pakistan-based Iranian diplomat said a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan was in the interest of both Iran and Pakistan.

U.N. warns of starvation in Afghanistan, appeals for aid
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 29 (Kyodo) - The United Nations appealed to the international community Wednesday for additional aid for war-torn and famine-stricken Afghanistan, warning that a growing number of children and elderly could die from disease and starvation in the winter months.

UN critical of Talibanís women policies
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A senior United Nations official Wednesday criticized Afghanistan ruling Talibanís policies towards women and said Afghan women face discrimination.

Afghanistan to benefit from Pak trade incentives: Minister
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The NWFP Minister for Industries and Commerce, Owais Ghani has said that Afghanistan would benefit from trade between Pakistan and Central Asian States.

US, Russia, India to devise joint strategy on Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): United States, Russia and India are trying to devise a joint strategy to safeguard their interests in Afghanistan and a tripartite commission involving the three countries on Afghanistan is soon to be set up.

No serious concerns in Russia so far over Afghan refugees
MOSCOW, November 29 (Itar-Tass) - Situation on the Tajik-Afghan border will not raise serious concerns in Russia until the next spring, the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

Musharraf's political advisor quits
ISLAMABAD: The political advisor to Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has resigned from his post in protest against the killing of secretary general of the Shiite Tehrik-e-Jafria.