August 21, 2001

Western diplomats return from futile Kabul mission
By Tahir Ikram
ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Three Western diplomats arrived back in Pakistan on Tuesday after a futile week-long effort to see their eight citizens detained in Afghanistan on charges of promoting Christianity.

Diplomats vow to continue efforts to visit prisoners in Afghanistan
KABUL, Aug 21 (AFP) - Western diplomats left Afghanistan in frustration Tuesday vowing to press on with efforts to visit eight foreigners detained by the Taliban militia for allegedly preaching Christianity.

Fighting breaks out on two fronts in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 21 (Kyodo) - Fierce fighting has broken out between the ruling Taliban and rival Afghan groups on two fronts that could foreshadow the beginning of a major showdown

Heavy fighting reported in northern Afghanistan
KABUL, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Fighting between Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement and opposition forces of Ahmad Shah Masood intensified in the northeastern province of Takhar on Tuesday

Refugees tell of Taleban abuses
Reports say Taleban troops burned villages
By Afghanistan correspondent Kate Clark - bbc
There have been new reports of human rights abuses carried out by the Taleban in the central highlands of Afghanistan.

Taliban Facing Internal Problems in the North
News Update - August 19, 2001
The Taliban’s leadership plans to create new provincial armed units in the north where they are facing resistance from the local Taliban commanders and people.

Taliban militia warns of retaliation
Fakhar-ur-Rehman - Frontier Post
ISLAMABAD: The ruling Taliban regime has warned to hit back if any new US attack on Afghanistan is made on the pretext of Osama Bin Laden who is alleged to have masterminded bombing

Afghan refugees thank Russia for food, peace efforts
Tuesday, August 21, 2001 8:10 AM EST
TOZA-LOKAI, Northern Afghanistan, Aug 21, 2001 (Itar-Tass via COMTEX) -- Afghan refugees are thankful to the Russian government for its humanitarian assistance to the people who were forced

Loya Jirga only way out to bring peace: CUNUA
Syed Anwer - Frontier Post
PESHAWAR: Haji Hayatullah, President of the Council of Understanding for National Unity of Afghanistan has said that Loya Jirga is the only way to bring peace and prosperity to the war torn Afghanistan.

Taliban's policies condemned
Frontier Post
ISLAMABAD (SANA): The Embassy of the deposed Afghan President Professor Rabbani in Tehran, in a statement has condemned the oppressive and brutal acts of the Taliban in Afghanistan

Pak-Afghan body to meet on 25th
Frontier Post
ISLAMABAD (Online): The first meeting of Pak-Afghan Joint Committee, established for the release of Afghan Prisoners detained in Pakistani jails will be held here on August 25.

Jehad fund raising banned by militants
 Islamabad, Aug 21, IRNA - Pakistan Monday barred Islamic militants from raising of funds in the name of Jehad (holy war) and ordered Muslim militant groups to remove signboards from their offices

Islamabad's Politics of Double-Standard and Hypocrisy
AAR editorial - 8/21/01
On one hand, Pakistan's Sindh province government bars Islamic militants from raising funds in the name of Jihad and orders radical Muslim militant groups to remove signboards from their offices

Mine sweeping agency reduces staff
Frontier Post
ISLAMABAD(Agencies): The Mines Sweeping Programme in Afghanistan has decided to make 25 per cent decrease in the number of its workers due to financial problems although 12 to 14 persons

Theme of "Delbaran" revolves around Afghans
Frontier Post
LOCARNO (Agencies): With Delbaran, Iran's poet of social realism, Abolfazl Jalili, comes up with another beautifully realized study of characters lost between the cracks of history and politics.

Afghanistan: Don't Be Lured Into the Taleban's Dirty Game
Amin Saikal - Int. Herald Tribune,  Monday, August 20, 2001
CANBERRA - By accusing foreign aid workers and their local colleagues in Afghanistan of propagating Christianity, the ruling Islamic Taleban militia has forced the international community to interact

Politicians to review Afghan policy
DAWN
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: The entire religious and political leadership of the country is expected to converge on the capital by the month-end to attend a moot being organised to review Pakistan's

Proof of ISI activities in Nepal: Jaswant
New Delhi, August 20, IRNA -- India's External Affairs Minster Jaswant Singh said that there is proof of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) activities in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

Govt warned against interfering in Madaris affairs
Jang/The news
LAHORE: The Chief of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Maulana Mian Muhammad Jamil criticising the promulgation of presidential ordinance to set up modal religious Madaris in the country termed

Washington junket
Jang/The News editorial
Pakistan foreign secretary Inamul Haq's mission to Washington for removal of the sanctions imposed in 1998 appears to have ended on a dismal note as he was unable to get a positive response.