Kabul seeks to expand humanitarian operations with Russia

Thursday, February 14, 2002 11:14 AM EST

MOSCOW, Feb 14, 2002 (Itar-Tass via COMTEX) -- Afghanistan is interested in expanding humanitarian operations with Russia's participation, head of the Ministry for Emergency Situations' humanitarian centre in Afghanistan Alexander Mezhov said.

He said on Thursday that "the leaders of the ministries of foreign affairs and health care asked us to expand the humanitarian centre's activity in Afghanistan".

Ministry specialists, who are currently in Kabul, are coordinating issues related to Russian humanitarian cargoes supplies to Afghanistan and providing medical assistance to the local population, Mezhov said.

The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations had delivered over 10 tonnes of food to Afghanistan.

Mezhov noted that 14 Russian doctors are working in Kabul's hospital.

"At present, we are working on new humanitarian projects, including the organisation of a polytechnic centre in Kabul and a centre to demine its territory," Mezhov said.

By Viktor Kurganov