DATE=8/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L)
NUMBER=2-252863
BYLINE=SARAH HORNER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Taleban and the opposition Northern
Alliance are making conflicting claims about advances
in eastern Afghanistan. From Islamabad, Sarah Horner
reports fighting broke out in the Afghan region Monday
when opposition fighters attacked Taleban positions.
Text: An opposition spokesman (Dr Abdullah) says
Northern Alliance forces are closing in on Asadabad,
the capital of Kunar province -- 190-kilometers
northeast of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. He says
the opposition also captured districts in neighboring
Laghman province.
The Pakistan-based "Afghan Islamic Press" quotes a
Taleban spokesman (Sadar Asam) who says opposition
forces have taken some ground in Laghman, but denies
it has taken districts in Kunar. He says Taleban
reinforcements are being sent to both provinces.
The opposition said Monday its forces had launched
attacks on Taleban positions in Kunar, Laghman, and
Nangarhar provinces. It also said opposition forces
had taken the capital of Ghor province, 350-kilometers
west of Kabul. The Taleban said an opposition attack
in the northeastern province, Nangarhar, had been
defeated.
There is no independent confirmation of the reports.
The increasing intensity of fighting in eastern
Afghanistan is seen as an opposition attempt to draw
Taleban soldiers away from frontlines north of Kabul.
At the end of July the Taleban launched a major
offensive against the opposition stronghold in the
Panjshir Valley, 90-kilometers north of the capital.
The Panjshir Valley is the headquarters of commander
Ahmad Shah Massood who has used it as a base from
which to launch attacks on the Taleban's control of
Afghanistan. The strict Islamic movement controls 90-
percent of the country and is making a determined bid
to bring all Afghanistan into its fold.
The U-N Security Council has called for both parties
to stop hostilities and form a broad-based government.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SLH/RAE
17-Aug-1999 10:24 AM LOC (17-Aug-1999 1424 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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