October 3, 2000

Taliban for lifting UN sanctions against Iraq
SLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban have urged world community to help lift sanctions against Iraq as the curbs have badly hit the innocent and defenceless Iraqi people.



Switzerland Adopts Sanctions Against Taliban Militia
<>Bern, Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The Swiss government said it will join in the sanctions against the ruling Taliban militia in Afghanistan and the regime of Myanmar adopted by the United Nations and European Union, respectively.



Italy disowns minister’s remarks about Loya Jirga<>
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Italy has disowned the remarks of its Deputy Foreign Minister about Afghan Loya Jirga and said it is strongly supporting Rome Process launched by the former Afghan monarch Zahir Shah.


Lion of Panjshir at bay against Taliban's armies
By Ahmed Rashid - The Daily Telegraph - 10/3/2000
AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD, the guerrilla leader who made his name resisting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the Eighties, has now been fighting for 22 years and the pressure is mounting.


Afghans die of drought
BBC 10/2/00
The United Nations says one-hundred-and-thirty-seven people have died in Afghanistan from the effects of the severe drought currently affecting the country.
<>Can Taleban swap Bin Laden for diplomatic recognition?
By ANWAR IQBAL
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- As Afghanistan's Taleban rulers increase their efforts to gain international diplomatic recognition, experts across the world are trying to assess how far the religious

Taliban inform Iraqi embassy about Iran refusal to aid flight
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Taliban have informed the Iraqi embassy in Islamabad about the refusal of a Baghdad bound relief plane of the Afghan Ariana Airline to fly over its territory.

Taliban Gain Ground in Afghanistan
By AMIR SHAH
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Beleaguered Afghan opposition soldiers retreated further north on Monday as the forces of the ruling Taliban Islamic militia launched a new assault backed by air attacks, an opposition spokesman said.

Calm prevails at frontlines in Afghanistan 11 opposition commanders defect to Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Eleven commanders of the opponents along with 70 armed men defected to the Taliban in the suburb of Bangi district in Takhar province, reports Radio Kabul.

11 opposition commanders defect to Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Eleven commanders of the opponents along with 70 armed men defected to the Taliban in the suburb of Bangi district in Takhar province, reports Radio Kabul.

Calm prevails at frontlines in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Reports from Afghanistan speak of comparative calm at the frontlines.

India, Russia sign strategic partnership accord
NEW DELHI, Oct. 3 (Kyodo) - India and Russia on Tuesday signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership to enhance cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, economic and political fields.

Putin to seek joint action with India against Taliban
The Hindu By Vladimir Radyuhin
MOSCOW, OCT. 2. The impressive military gains of the Taliban forces on the border with Tajikistan have rattled Russia and given a new urgency to its President, Mr. Vladimir Putin's current visit to India.

Partnership With Russia Not Directed Against Third Country: Indian PM
NEW DELHI (Oct. 3) XINHUA - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee declared here on Tuesday that the Declaration of Strategic Partnership he signed with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin was not directed against any third country.

Uzbekistan makes diplomatic contact with Taleban
By Shamil Baigin
TASHKENT, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan has started a dialogue with Afghanistan's ruling Taleban militia to bolster security in Central Asia, said Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.

Taliban want a ban on landmines production
By AAMIR SHAH
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia urged a halt in the production of landmines, Taliban diplomats said Tuesday.

Can Taleban swap Bin Laden for diplomatic recognition?
By ANWAR IQBAL
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- As Afghanistan's Taleban rulers increase their efforts to gain international diplomatic recognition