April 13, 2001

Afghans to observe ceasefire for polio campaign
ISLAMABAD, April 13 (Reuters) - Both sides in Afghanistan's civil war have agreed to a ceasefire next week to allow a polio immunisation campaign, the United Nations said on Friday.

Iran says 485 Afghan bandits die in anti-drug drive
TEHRAN, April 12 (Reuters) - Iran's police said on Thursday they had killed 485 Afghan bandits during five months of clashes in a drug-infested border province as the judiciary announced a new

Afghan Taliban dismiss US congressman's peace proposal
KABUL, April 12 (AFP) - Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel on Thursday rejected a proposal from a US congressman to end Afghanistan's civil war through elections.

More Taliban Lies and Disinformation
AAR Editorial - 4/13/2001
The Taliban leadership, trained and educated in Islamabad's ISI-controlled extremist madrassah system are amazingly ignorant of Afghanistan's customs, history and political traditions.

Afghanistan: Warlord's Role As Political Leader Remains Questionable
By Jean-Christophe Peuch
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Afghanistan opposition leader Ahmad Shah Masood has finished a week-long tour of Western Europe that took him to Paris, Strasbourg, and Brussels. RFE/RL correspondent Jean-Christophe Peuch speaks with specialists on Afghan affairs on what dividends the visit could bring to the military commander.

Japan suggests hosting of Taliban--North Alliance talks
Friday, April 13, 2001 2:39 AM EST
ISLAMABAD, Apr 13, 2001 (Itar-Tass via COMTEX) -- Japan has invited the Taliban movement of Afghanistan to take part in the intra-Afghan talks, to be held in Tokyo late in April,

Afghan Taliban issue stern rebuff to Vajpayee
KABUL, April 12 (AFP) - Afghanistan's Taliban militia Thursday hit back at Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee after he described them as a "threat" to regional stability.

Iran favours strong regional ties - BBC
Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei has called for close regional cooperation to combat what he says is growing American influence in the area.

Pakistani envoy held over explosives - BBC
The authorities in Nepal say they are questioning a senior Pakistani diplomat in connection with the seizure of large amount of explosives in the capital, Kathmandu.
First Secretary Mohammad Arshad Chima

Benazir fears Taliban-style government in Pakistan
 Islamabad, April 13, IRNA -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party fears that Taliban like religious fundamentalists can grab power in Pakistan.

Sikhs set example for getting along with the Taliban
Thursday, April 12, 2001 4:44 PM EST
JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN, Apr 13, 2001 (The Christian Science Monitor via COMTEX) -- It's not just the variety of fabrics in his shop that distinguishes Gurmouk Singh from

PESHAWAR: RAWA distributes flour among refugees
Dawn
By Mohammad Riaz
PESHAWAR, April 12: The Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) distributed 500 bags of flour amongst the needy Afghan refugees at the Jalozai camp,

Afghan dies at Channel Tunnel terminal
A man thought to be an Afghan citizen has been electrocuted and killed at a Channel Tunnel freight terminal in France.