DATE=8/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L-O)
NUMBER=2-252477
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
INTRO: The Taleban movement in Afghanistan says it is
helping thousands of people move away from the area
where heavy fighting has taken place during the past
week. As correspondent Scott Anger reports, those
taking the journey toward the capital say the Taleban
have forced them to leave their homes.
TEXT: Tens of thousands of people in buses, cars and
on foot are moving from provinces north of the Afghan
capital, under the direction of the Taleban. Many are
taking shelter with relatives in Kabul, but others are
moving on to the eastern city of Jalalabad.
Taleban Information Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi says
about 18-hundred families have been transferred o the
Sar Shai refugee camp in Jalalabad. He says the
people are being provided food and water and
transportation out of the area because, in the past,
opposition fighters have used civilians as human
shields.
On the outskirts of Kabul, 6-year-old Mira Juddin, who
has only one leg, hobbles on metal crutches down the
middle of the pavement with 11 relatives and a herd of
goats. He says he's been walking all day from his
village in Parwan province, about 35 kilometers north
of the capital.
// JUDDIN ACT IN PASTO //
He says the Taleban forced his family and others to
leave the area because of security reasons.
During the last two days, hundreds of people have
waited by the roadside to greet relatives passing
through the city.
Opposition spokesman Dr. Abdullah says the Taleban's
relocation of people from the areas of recent fighting
is unfairly directed at people of Tajik descent. The
Taleban deny the charge and say they are not forcing
anyone to leave.
Meanwhile, the Taleban say they are close to their
objective of spreading a strict form of Islam
throughout the country. After a weeklong offensive,
the Taleban have captured a number of towns and two
provinces in addition to the opposition's key airbase
at Baghram.
The hard-line Islamic movement has asked opposition
fighters to stop fighting, and it has promised to give
amnesty to anyone who lays down their weapons.
(signed)
Neb/sc/rrm-t
04-Aug-1999 11:01 AM EDT (04-Aug-1999 1501 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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