September 28, 2000

Italy may recognize Taliban once peace comes to Afghanistan: official
KABUL, Sept 28 (AFP) - A senior Italian government official said here Thursday Rome could consider recognizing the Afghan Taliban regime once peace prevailed throughout the war-ravaged country.

Russian aide denies overtures to Taleban
The Russian presidential aide, Sergey Yastrzhembsky, has said that his visit to Pakistan earlier this week was not aimed at establishing direct contact with the Taleban movement in Afghanistan.

Bomb Explodes In Kabul,Wounds 1;Taliban Blames Opposition
Friday, September 29 2:39 AM SGT
KABUL (AP)--A powerful bomb exploded in Afghanistan in the central neighborhood in Kabul on Thursday, wounding a private security guard at a religious newspaper, witnesses said.

Afghan Refugees Flee to Tajikstan
By LIDA ISAMOVA
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (AP) - Tens of thousands of frightened Afghanis fled intensified fighting toward Tajikistan on Wednesday, and Russian and Tajik troops braced to turn back a refugee flood at the border.

Taliban Score Military Victories
By GREG MYRE
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - With a series of battlefield triumphs in northeast Afghanistan, the Taliban is pushing to become the first force with full control of the war-ravaged country in more than 20 years.

Afghanistan's Taliban Leaders Seek Recognition in US Talks
Washington, Sept. 27 (Bloomberg) -- A top official of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia pledged that authorities would crack down on drug smuggling in the war-ravaged country, as he prepared to meet with U.S.

Russia urges Afghan clampdown
By Susannah Price in Islamabad - BBC 9/27
A special envoy from the Russian President has told the Pakistani Government that hundreds of Islamic fighters from Chechnya and other countries in the region are being trained in northern Afghanistan.

Facing threat from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan boost military ties
BISHKEK, Sept 27 (AFP) - Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a military cooperation accord Wednesday to counter the threat from Islamic extremism in the Central Asian region.

Taliban welcome shift in Uzbek policy on Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Afghanistanís Taliban have welcomed a shift in Uzbekistan stand on Afghanistan terming it a positive change.

Taliban wants friendly relations with Iran: official
Islamabad, Sept 27, IRNA -- A Taliban official on Wednesday said the student militia wants `cooperation' and `friendly relations' with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Amnesty International claim rejected
Tehran, Sept 28, IRNA -- An informed source at the Foreign Ministry here Thursday rejected an Amnesty International claim of compulsory repatriation of Afghan refugees living in Iran to their home country.

Republicans Attack Russian Policy
By BARRY SCHWEID
WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Madeleine Albright came under attack Wednesday from House Republicans regarding Russia policy.

Washington rally calls for action against Taliban
WASHINGTON (NNI): A number of Afghan and American protestors staged a demonstration here to raise their voice against the US indifference and apathy toward Afghan crisis on the fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

Lasham Gorge and Chap Zar Around Taloqan Are Liberated
Wednesday, September 27 ? Payam-e mujahed
As a result of a successful Mujahideen operation, Lasham Gorge near Taloqan was liberated from Pakistani-Taliban occupation.

Ahmed Shah Masood poisoned?
Business Recorder
TEHRAN (September 28) : Ahmed Shah Masood, the military mastermind of the opposition Northern Alliance in Afghanistan battling the ruling Taleban, has been poisoned, sources say.