DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252187
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Forces opposing the Taleban in Afghanistan
have reportedly fired three rockets into the capital,
Kabul. There is no word on any casualties or the
extent of damage from the rockets. As correspondent
Scott Anger reports, fighting has increased since last
week's United Nations-sponsored peace talks between
the Taleban and the opposition ended without any
progress towards establishing peace in the war-ravaged
country.
Text: The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (A-I-
P) says anti-Taleban forces fired the rockets at
Kabul's airport Tuesday.
The rocket attack comes as clashes between the Taleban
and opposition forces continue about 25 kilometers
north of the capital. At least eight people were
killed during an artillery attack Friday on villages
near Kabul.
More than a week ago in Uzbekistan, the United Nations
brought together representatives of Afghanistan's
warring factions to talk about ending years of bloody
conflict. But the talks ended without any agreement -
- and the failure of the U-N talks has triggered fears
of an escalation in the fighting.
Meanwhile, in a stern statement issued Sunday, the
anti-Taleban Northern Alliance has warned they will
not treat any foreigners, captured in fighting in
Afghanistan, as prisoners of war. The alliance, led
by commander Ahmad Shah Masood, says foreign fighters
will be considered criminals and subject to maximum
punishment.
The warning from the opposition side comes amid
reports the Taleban faction has been joined by
thousands of Pakistani and Arab volunteers to help the
hard-line Islamic movement capture the final 10
percent of Afghanistan, which is still controlled by
commander Masood's forces.
The opposition says up to five-thousand Pakistani
militants are fighting for the Taleban, along with
hundreds of Muslim militants from at least a dozen
Arab countries. The Taleban denies that any
foreigners are supporting its military campaign.
(Signed)
NEB/SA/PLM
27-Jul-1999 06:54 AM LOC (27-Jul-1999 1054 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
