DATE=8/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN - U-N (L-O)
NUMBER=2-252808
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says it is "greatly
alarmed" the latest upsurge in fighting in Afghanistan
is causing massive displacement of civilians. U-N
officials are reporting that Islamic Taleban have been
following a scorched-earth campaign in the recent
fighting north of the Afghan capital. Ayaz Gul
reports from Islamabad, Taleban authorities say they
are shifting civilians in the war zone for their
safety.
Text: The United Nations is calling for the Taleban
movement to stop what the United Nations says is a
senseless campaign against the civilian population.
U-N officials estimate 10-thousand people have fled to
Kabul in the past two days from the fighting in
Shamali valley, near the front lines north of the
Afghan capital.
U-N spokesperson Stephanie Bunker says civilians of
all ethnic groups have been arriving in Kabul. Ms
Bunker speaks of eyewitness accounts.
// BUNKER ACT //
They are telling us that massive displacement is
occurring and that all people; men, women, and
children are being forced from their homes by
the Taleban fighters there. The Taleban
fighters are telling them to walk to Kabul and
that their homes and their crops in some cases
are being burned after them, and in some case
they are reporting that the entire village is
being burned. This is going to make their
return home very difficult even if they want to
go.
// END ACT //
Ms. Bunker says international aid agencies in
the Afghan capital have been monitoring the new
arrivals, many of which are suffering from
severe dehydration.
// BUNKER ACT //
They (the aid agencies) are actually out on the
road and they are counting them as they (the
displaced people) come in. They are also
providing the new arrivals with just a little
bit of food to sustain them because they are
dehydrated and hungry after their trip. And
they are making preparation to see if further
assistance is needed to these people. Some of
these people may take up residence with friends
or relatives, some of them may not and we just
have to track that situation.
// END ACT //
U-N officials say some of the civilians have made the
journey to Kabul on foot while others have been
transported on trucks commandeered by the Taleban
authorities.
The Taleban admits (Sunday) it is shifting the
population in the war zone. The Pakistan-based
"Afghan Islamic Press" quotes Taleban officials as
saying the campaign is aimed at saving civilians from
being caught up and killed in the fighting. The hard-
line Islamic movement also admits burning houses in
the area, which it says were allegedly being used to
store ammunition or as bunkers to attack Taleban
forces.
The recent fighting in Afghanistan began last month
when Taleban forces launched a major offensive against
their remaining opposition north of Kabul. The
Taleban movement, which controls most of Afghanistan,
has failed to dislodge opposition forces since
capturing Kabul in 1996. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/RAE
15-Aug-1999 08:55 AM EDT (15-Aug-1999 1255 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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