DATE=7/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN OFFENSIVE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252241
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban movement has launched
major offensives against opposition forces near the
capital, Kabul. Although the opposition concedes
Taleban forces have made gains, it says it has been
able to repulse other attacks. Correspondent Scott
Anger reports, Wednesday's attacks come after weeks of
speculation about renewed fighting between the
country's warring factions.
TEXT: The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press says
Taleban troops have attacked opposition forces led by
Ahmad Shah Masood near Tagab and Koh Safi, about 45
kilometers northeast of Kabul. The independent news
agency reports fierce fighting in the area as both
sides use artillery and other heavy weapons.
The Taleban says they have captured the towns of Tagab
and Najrab, in addition to several mountain top
positions in the area. The hard-line Islamic movement
also says at least 15 opposition tanks have been
captured.
There are no independent reports of casualties.
During the fighting, opposition forces fired rockets
at Kabul's airport, a day after aid flights by the
United Nations and the Red Cross were diverted by a
similar attack.
The outbreak of hostilities follows the breakdown of
United Nations-sponsored peace talks two weeks ago in
Uzbekistan. After Afghanistan's warring factions
failed to reach any agreements during the talks, the
U-N's special envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi,
warned that renewed fighting loomed on the horizon
because of the increasing number of arms pouring into
the country. Anti-Taleban forces accuse neighboring
Pakistan of providing military support to the Taleban
-- a charge Pakistan denies. Meanwhile, the Taleban
officials say they have released 200 opposition
prisoners (Wednesday) at the movement's southern
headquarters in Kandahar.
Since capturing the capital in 1996, the Taleban --
who control 90 percent of Afghanistan -- has been
attempting to dislodge opposition forces from the
remaining 10 percent in the northern parts of the
country. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/KL
28-Jul-1999 09:07 AM LOC (28-Jul-1999 1307 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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