April 1, 2001

Afghanistan's Massoud to meet EU Parliament head
BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) - Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Massoud will meet the president of the European Parliament on Thursday during his first visit to Europe.

Taliban angrily react to European Parliament invitation to Masood
ISLAMABAD, April 01 (SANA)- Afghanistan ruling Taliban Sunday angrily reacted to reported invitation to opposition commander Ahmed Shah Masood to visit Paris and European Parliament

Afghan rivals see spring offensive moves
KABUL, April 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement and an opposition alliance accused each other on Sunday of preparing for a spring offensive to grab more territory after mountain snows melt.

Afghan spirit crushed by war, Taliban austerity
By Jack Redden
KABUL, April 1 (Reuters) - The small marble tomb of Babur, founder of the Moghul Empire, lies ignored on a hillside in the Afghan capital.

Shiite Muslims observe Moharram rituals in Afghanistan
KABUL, April 1 (AFP) - Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan observed the religious Moharram rituals on Sunday as the Taliban regime lifted curbs on mourning and flagellation by the community to mark the martyrdom of an Islamic saint.

Northern alliance forces station 10 kms from Bamyan
Tehran, March 30, IRNA -- Latest reports from Bamyan province in Afghanistan indicate that forces loyal to the northern alliance have been stationed 10 kms from Bamyan.

Taliban shells Afghan refugee camp twice on Saturday
Sunday, April 01, 2001 8:38 AM EST
DUSHANBE, Apr 01, 2001 (Itar-Tass via COMTEX) -- The Taliban twice shelled an Afghan refugee camp, located on isles in the Pyandzh River opposite the Russian Tugul border post, on Saturday,

Peace in Afghanistan a must for regional economic development: Tarar      
Islamabad, March 31, IRNA -- The President of Pakistan, Mohammad Rafi Tarar, on Friday said peace in Afghanistan was a must for the economic development of the region.

EU links increase in aid to Afghanistan with peace, stability
Islamabad, March 31, IRNA -- The European Union on Saturday linked increase in its aid to Afghanistan with restoration of peace and stability in that country. "Any significant increase in EU

Afghan, Uzbek envoys for peaceful solution of mutual differences
ISLAMABAD, April 01 (SANA)-The Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Mulla Abdul Salam Zaeef met here with the Uzbek Ambassador to Islamabad, Shuhrat Kabilov and discussed with him bilateral ties.