April 18, 2001

Anti-Taleban leaders plan strategy
BBC News By Kate Clark in Islamabad
The opposition in Afghanistan say a crucial meeting has taken place between the two most powerful anti-Taleban commanders.

Massoud Calls European Visit "a Turning Point" in the Struggle Against Pakistani-backed Taliban
Western Analysts View Trip Favorably, See Challenges Ahead and a Possible Visit to the US -
By Omar Samad
For photos click here
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2001 - AAR - Ahmad Shah Massoud, the military leader of the United Front alliance opposing the Taliban, says he had "second thoughts"

Taliban Preparing for Spring Offensive
April 15: Commander Masood told reporters in Doshanbe, capital of Tajikistan, that the Taliban are preparing for a large-scale spring offensive.

Afghan hardliners stronger after deputy's death: opposition
KABUL, April 17 (AFP) - Hardliners in Afghanistan's fundamentalist Taliban Islamic militia will strengthen their grip on power following the death of deputy leader Mullah Mohammad Rabbani

US officials on rare visit to Afghanistan
By Tahir Ikram
ISLAMABAD, April 18 (Reuters) - Three U.S. government officials are visiting Afghanistan to assess the humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country, a World Food Programme official said on Wednesday.

Shift in US policy as envoys visit Afghanistan
 ISLAMABAD, April 18 (UPI) - Four U.S. diplomats are visiting Afghanistan on a mission to assess the damages done by an unprecedented famine, reports Pakistan's Dawn newspaper.

China backs Indian moves for Afghan peace
BEIJING, April 17 (PTI) -- In an apparent blow to Pakistan, China on Monday said it welcomed all international efforts, including that of India which could bring peace and stability to the war-torn Afghanistan.

Experts briefed on sanctions' implementation
ISLAMABAD, April 17 (Dawn) -- Pakistan on Monday briefed the visiting five-member group of international experts on its efforts to ensure full and effective implementation

Common Opposition to Taleban Brings Iran, India Closer
Source: VOA News Amin Fekrat  Washington 17 Apr 2001
India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has just completed a groundbreaking visit to Iran. During the four-day trip, a number of far-reaching agreements were signed with the government

Pak violates UN resolutions on Taliban: Russian daily
Source: India Abroad News Service Arun Mohanty, Moscow April 17, 2001
A respected Moscow daily has accused Pakistan of being the main supplier of arms to Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, suggesting that sanctions could be imposed on Islamabad for violating UN resolutions.

U.S. official discusses Afghanistan with Pak.
By B. Muralidhar Reddy The Hindu (India) April 17, 2001
ISLAMABAD, APRIL 16. The United States Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Alan Eastham, who arrived here on a two-day official visit, called on the Pakistan Interior Minister, Lt. Gen. (retd)

U.N. concerned at record influx of internal DPs into Herat
Islamabad, April 17 (IRNA) -- The United Nations is becoming increasingly concerned over the growing influx of internally displaced people (IDPs) into the northwestern Afghan city of Herat.

Mohammad Rabbani
18 April 2001 - The Independent by Kate Clark
Mohammad Rabbani was the deputy leader of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan. He was one of the original members of the Taliban, the group of religious scholars who first captured

Mullah Rabbani Dies
Mullah Rabbani, the deputy leader of the Taliban, died of cancer in Pakistan.
A UN plane flew his body back to Kandahar.
Mullah Rabbani came to Kabul at the end of 1992 as a member of a delegation of the Hal wa Aqd council that elected President Rabbani for a period of two years. Two delegations