January 26, 2002

Karzai set to resume diplomatic offensive
Saturday January 26, 4:48 PM AFP
Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai was set to resume his diplomatic offensive as the United States vowed to go after pockets of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters believed to be regrouping in Afghanistan.

A good start, but much to be done in Afghanistan: Annan
Saturday January 26, 2:12 PM AFP
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was on a historic visit to the region, delivering a message of support to Afghanistan, and a warning to neighboring countries not to interfere in its affairs.

Afghans Choose Panel for Organizing Crucial Grand Council
Saturday January 26 08:56 AM EST
By MARK LANDLER The New York Times
Afghanistan marked a political milestone on Friday with the announcement of a commission that will organize a grand council to choose the country's next government.

US Aid Chief Says Afghan Damage Worst He's Seen
Sat Jan 26, 7:54 AM ET
KABUL (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. government's aid agency USAID said on Saturday Afghanistan's destruction was the worst he had seen in more than a decade of service covering scores of civil wars.

Afghanistan's Karzai to Discuss War in Washington
By Sayed Salahuddin
Saturday January 26 6:48 AM ET
KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's interim leader, who has dazzled the international community with his charm and hats, will tell President Bush he does not want the U.S. military campaign in his land

Afghan leader seeks larger security force
By Bryan Bender, Boston Globe Correspondent, 1/26/2002
WASHINGTON - The interim leader of Afghanistan yesterday called for a substantial increase in peacekeeping troops to secure the country's chaotic countryside - a move certain to draw opposition

Annan thanks Iran for Afghan support
Saturday, 26 January, 2002, 17:41 GMT BBC News
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has thanked Iran for its "great support" to the people of neighbouring Afghanistan.

Abdullah: U.S. Forces Should Remain
Saturday, January 26, 2002 7:36 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. and international forces should remain in Afghanistan beyond the six-month life of the interim government and until all al-Qaida and Taliban resistance are gone

Afghan ex-king to return home in mid-March
Sunday January 27, 6:28 AM
ROME (Reuters) - Afghanistan's former King Zahir Shah will end 28 years of exile and return home in mid-March accompanied by the country's interim leader Hamid Karzai

Kabul's symbolic one-eyed lion dies
Sunday January 27, 7:49 AM AFP
Marjon, the one-eyed lion of Kabul Zoo who became a symbol of Afghanistan's oppression under Taliban rule, has died, an animal protection charity said.

Afghans reported to have seized Kashmiri arms cache
Sunday January 27, 5:37 AM
KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan security forces have seized an arms cache of a Kashmiri militant group in a village close to the Pakistani border, Radio Afghanistan reported on Saturday.

Herat governor "not seeking Afghan split"
Saturday, 26 January, 2002, 17:36 GMT
The governor of Herat in western Afghanistan, Ismail Khan, has denied that he is seeking to split the country and forge closer links with Iran.

Russian FM to visit Afghanistan
Saturday, 26 January, 2002, 16:25 GMT
Russia's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, says he will visit Afghanistan in February as part of moves to normalise ties for the first time since the Soviet military withdrawal in 1989.