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DATE=3/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246600
TITLE=AFGHAN / AGREEMENT(L)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE WARRING SIDES IN AFGHANISTAN'S BLOODY CIVIL WAR HAVE 
REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT AND MOVE 
TOWARD PEACE.  AS CORRESPONDENT SCOTT ANGER REPORTS, THE 
BREAKTHROUGH COMES AFTER FOUR-DAYS OF TALKS IN TURKMENISTAN.
TEXT:  AFTER CONCLUDING PEACE TALKS (SUNDAY) IN THE TURKMEN 
CAPITAL, ASHGABAD, THE TALEBAN MOVEMENT AND OPPOSITION IN 
AFGHANISTAN SAY THEY HAVE AGREED TO FORM A SHARED GOVERNMENT.
IN A JOINT STATEMENT, BOTH SIDES SAY THEY HAVE AGREED TO A 
FOUR-POINT AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES A POSSIBLE CEASE-FIRE AND 
ELECTIONS.  AS PART OF THEIR AGREEMENT, BOTH SIDES WILL ALSO 
RELEASE 20 PRISONERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED 
CROSS.
THE BREAKTHROUGH COMES AFTER THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS MEDIATED 
BY THE UNITED NATIONS.  THE LAST ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN THE 
TALEBAN AND OPPOSITION GROUPS ENDED IN FAILURE.
NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES HOPE THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS WILL BRING 
LASTING PEACE TO AFGHANISTAN, WHICH HAS ENDURED 20-YEARS OF WAR. 
PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SARTAJ AZIZ SAYS BOTH SIDES SEE THE 
FUTILITY OF CONTINUING THE CIVIL WAR.
                        /// AZIZ ACT ///
         THE BEST THING IS TO REACH SOME KIND OF UNDERSTANDING.  
         NOW, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE ACTUAL ACCORD THAT COMES OUT
         WILL BE SMOOTH.  THE TASK OF MAKING A NEW CONSTITUTION 
         OR POWERSHARING GOVERNMENT WILL REQUIRE A LOT, BUT THAT 
         KIND OF PROGRESS IS FAR EASIER THAN FIGHTING.  SO, I 
         THINK, THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE LOOK MORE PROMISING NOW 
         THAN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
                         /// END ACT ///
FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TALEBAN AND OPPOSITION GROUPS HAS CONTINUED 
RELENTLESSLY SINCE 1994, WHEN THE TALEBAN LAUNCHED A STRICT 
ISLAMIC MOVEMENT AIMED AT CONTROLLING AFGHANISTAN.  THE TALEBAN 
MOVEMENT CURRENTLY CONTROLS ABOUT 90-PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY.
ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS IS PLANNED SOON AND IS TO BE HELD IN 
AFGHANISTAN AT A MUTUALLY AGREED SITE.   (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
14-Mar-99 8:27 AM EST (1327 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.