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DATE=5/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249656
TITLE=AFGHAN / U-N  (L-ONLY) (CQ)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:   THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF HAS 
COMPLETED AN ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE NORTHERN AFGHAN CITY OF 
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, THE FIRST SUCH MISSION IN MORE THAN A YEAR.  AS 
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT ANGER REPORTS, THE U-N HAS BEEN SLOWLY 
RETURNING ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO THE DEVASTATED COUNTRY -- 
EVEN AS THE WAR CONTINUES TO DRAG ON.
TEXT:  A TEAM OF TEN U-N STAFF MEMBERS, INCLUDING SIX OF ITS 
INTERNATIONAL STAFF, HAVE RETURNED FROM REVIEWING ONGOING U-N 
PROGRAMS IN MAZAR-E-SHARIF.  IT IS THE U-N'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL 
MISSION TO THE CITY SINCE 1997.
STEPHANIE BUNKER, SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYS THE 
TEAM FOUND LIVING CONDITIONS DIFFICULT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.
                       /// BUNKER ACT ///
         THERE ARE TOO MANY LABORERS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET FOR 
         THE NUMBER OF JOBS AVAILABLE, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN 
         WAGES IN THE LOCAL MARKET -- FOR CASUAL LABOR -- GOING 
         DOWN.  POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THIS, THE SALE OF HOUSEHOLD 
         ASSETS HAS INCREASED.  MORE PEOPLE ARE OUT ON THE 
         STREETS SELLING WHAT FEW THINGS THEY HAVE.
                         /// END ACT ///
BECAUSE OF THE LARGE LABOR MARKET, MS. BUNKER SAYS THE PRICE OF 
WHEAT HAS FALLEN IN THE CITY, MAKING IT THE CHEAPEST IN 
AFGHANISTAN.
THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK HAS GIVEN SECURITY CLEARANCE TO 
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, PAVING THE WAY FOR A RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL 
STAFF.  BUT BEFORE THE WORLD BODY CAN FULLY RESUME INTERNATIONAL 
OPERATIONS IN THE CITY, IT SAYS LOGISTICAL ISSUES -- SUCH AS 
COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION -- NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
THE CITY HAS CHANGED HANDS A NUMBER OF TIMES DURING THE LAST 
TWO-YEARS AS THE TALEBAN MOVEMENT AND OPPOSITION FORCES HAVE 
BATTLED FOR CONTROL OF NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN.
AS THE UNITED NATIONS WORKS TO RETURN INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO 
OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THE WARRING SIDES CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
ON FRIDAY, AT LEAST TWO ROCKETS LANDED NEAR THE AIRPORT IN THE 
CAPITAL, KABUL.  THERE IS NO INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF 
CASUALTIES FROM THE ATTACK.
AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN OTHER ATTACKS THIS WEEK 
ON KABUL BY FORCES OPPOSING THE TALEBAN.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO BROKER A PEACE 
AGREEMENT IN THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY.   (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/KL
21-May-99 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.