DATE=10/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - AFGHANISTAN - IRAN (L - ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255197
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iran is calling on the United Nations to take
stronger action against Afghanistan, in order to stop
fighting and terrorism activities in that country.
The call came today (Monday) in a letter from Iran to
the U-N Security Council, as we hear from our U-N
correspondent Max Ruston.
TEXT: Iran's letter to the U-N Security Council comes
in response to a Council resolution passed Friday.
That resolution denounces Afghanistan's Taleban
movement for supporting international terrorism. The
resolution threatens sanctions against the Taleban if
it does not surrender alleged terrorist Usama bin
Laden for trial on charges of plotting the bombing of
U-S embassies last year in Tanzania and Kenya.
The letter from Iran's ambassador to the United
Nations says Iran supports the Council's action, but
is disappointed that stronger measures were not taken.
It says terrorism, which is the focus of the Council
resolution, is only one of many side effects of
Afghanistan's conflict. Others, its says, include
violations of humanitarian law, persecution of ethnic
and religious minorities and drug trafficking.
Iran calls on the Security Council to bring its full
weight and influence to bear in Afghanistan. It says
effective measures must be exercised with a view to
inducing the Taleban to stop its military policy. It
does not propose specific measures.
Diplomats say the Iranian letter is a particularly
welcome addition to the discussion on Afghanistan.
They say it may indicate that Iran - which has been
accused of supporting terrorism in the past -- is now
carrying through with pledges to fight terrorism.
There have been long-standing hostilities between Iran
and the Taleban, since the Taleban gained control of
most of Afghanistan. Last year several Iranian
diplomats were killed in the northern Afghan city of
Mazar-e-Sharif. Iran blames the Taleban for those
killings.
The Security Council resolution approved Friday was
drafted by the United States and co-sponsored by
Russia. Taleban leaders have denounced the resolution
as illegal and say they will not hand-over Usama bin
Laden. (Signed)
NEB/MPR/LSF/TVM/gm
18-Oct-1999 16:21 PM EDT (18-Oct-1999 2021 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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