Russia to continue contribution to Afghanistan settlement

Wednesday, February 21, 2001 3:45 PM EST

MOSCOW, February 21 (Itar-Tass) - Russia will continue to contribute constructively to the international settlement efforts in Afghanistan within the United Nations and other formats, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Commenting on a recent statement on Afghanistan made by the U.N. Security Council chairman, the ministry quoted it as saying that the Taleban "has not yet made steps to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions 1267 and 1333".

The U.N. Security Council members stressed the need for Afghanistan's neighbours to take a constructive approach towards conflict settlement.

The statement also supports the U.N. Secretary-General's personal envoy for Afghanistan and expresses "regret in connection with the lack of progress in the peace process".

Given a serious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the statement also calls on all donor nations to increase their aid to this country.