Military

DATE=4/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248081
TITLE=U-S / AFGHANISTAN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT 
THE PROSPECT OF RENEWED WARFARE IN AFGHANISTAN, AFTER THE FAILURE
OF TALKS BETWEEN THE RULING TALEBAN AND THE OPPOSITION.  
CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.
TEXT:  ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE KARL INDERFURTH GAVE SENATORS
A MOSTLY GLOOMY ASSESSMENT OF THE AFGHAN SITUATION (WEDNESDAY).  
HE SAYS A NEW OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING IS THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO, 
WITH TALEBAN FORCES APPARENTLY GEARING UP TO STRIKE THE 
OPPOSITION ALLIANCE COMMANDED BY AHMED SHAH MASOOD.
                      // INDERFURTH ACT //
         BASED ON THEIR AGGRESSIVE RHETORIC, WHICH IS AGGRESSIVE 
         EVEN FOR THEM, THE TALEBAN SEEM TO BE READYING THEIR 
         FIGHTERS FOR AN ALL-OUT BLITZ ON THE BATTLEFIELD.  
         MASOOD IS NO DOUBT READY FOR THAT.  HE HAS BEEN FIGHTING
         FOR ALMOST 25-YEARS NOW.
                          // END ACT //
THE OPPOSITION HAS ISSUED A SIMILAR WARNING OF AN IMPENDING ALL- 
OUT CONFLICT.  THE TWO SIDES RECENTLY HELD THEIR FIRST 
FACE-TO-FACE CONTACTS IN ALMOST A YEAR, BUT THE PROCESS BROKE 
DOWN.  THE TALEBAN DECLARED LAST WEEK IT WILL NOT TAKE PART IN 
ANOTHER ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS.
MR. INDERFURTH CALLED ON THE GROUP TO RECONSIDER.  HE ALSO FLATLY
REJECTED CHARGES BY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DANA 
ROHRABACHER THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SECRETLY WANTS THE TALEBAN TO
RETAIN POWER, TO KEEP THE COUNTRY STABLE.  
                      // ROHRABACHER ACT //
         WE HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN BELIEVING THAT THIS 
         ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY TOWARD AFGHANISTAN HAS BEEN 
         INCOMPETENT BEYOND BELIEF OR DIRECTED AT ACHIEVING A 
         COVERT PURPOSE.
                          // END ACT //
MR. ROHRABACHER ACCUSED STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS OF HIDING THE 
TRUTH FROM CONGRESS.  MR. INDERFURTH DISMISSED THE ALLEGATIONS AS
MISINFORMED AND UNHELPFUL.   (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/RAE
14-Apr-99 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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