DATE=8/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN / U-N (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252960
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations is calling on warring
factions in Afghanistan to stop using "child-
soldiers." At a news conference Friday in
Islamabad, an official of the UN's children's
agency, UNICEF, expressed concern over the rising
number of young religious students taking part in
the Afghan conflict. Ayaz Gul has the story from
Islamabad.
Text: Louis Arsenault, UNICEF's representative
for Afghanistan, says up to 25-hundred Afghan and
Pakistani religious students have been recruited
and sent to Afghanistan recently to take part in
the fighting.
// ARSENAULT ACT //
Most of the recruited students range from 15 to
35 years old. However, there is evidence that
even some people as young as 14 years old are
involved and being recruited right now. Children
below the age of 18 who participate -- whether
voluntary or not -- in armed conflict are
considered child-soldiers. UNICEF urges,
therefore, all warring parties in Afghanistan to
avoid recruiting under 18 years of age children
and involving them in warfare.
// END ACT //
Mr. Arsenault says using young Afghan boys in the
fighting is not new, but he says their numbers
are rising gradually.
// ARSENAULT ACT //
It should be mentioned that the recruitment
process of the religious students in
Pakistan and sending them to Afghanistan,
has been going on for some time. We are
worried that it is increasing.
// END ACT //
In the recent fighting which began three weeks
ago, Taleban forces made some advances in the
north and north-east of Kabul, capital of
Afghanistan, before being pushed back to the old
frontlines by fighters led by Commander Ahmad
Shah Masood, leader of the opposition forces.
(Signed)
NEB/AG/ENE/KL
20-Aug-1999 16:29 PM EDT (20-Aug-1999 2029 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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