DATE=11/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN / U-N AID (L)
NUMBER=2-256394
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban movement says it will
allow the United Nations to move humanitarian aid
across the country's frontlines to help refugees
stranded in the Panjsher Valley north of the capital.
As correspondent Scott Anger reports from Kabul, the
promise of safe passage comes despite U-N sanctions
designed to force the hard-line Taleban to hand over
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.
TEXT: Taleban foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil
says the United Nations is free to move humanitarian
aid to about 60-thousand refugees across Afghanistan's
frontline between the Taleban and opposition forces.
The U-N already has received approval from the
opposition, which is based in the Panjsher Valley
where the refugees are living. The Taleban control
the road leading into the valley.
The announcement comes two days after the United
Nations coordinator for humanitarian aid to
Afghanistan, Erick De Mul, traveled to Kabul to plead
for safe passage of food and other relief. Mr. De Mul
says the announcement is very good news. The U-N says
it will be ready to move aid to the desperate refugees
in less than two weeks.
In August, thousands of people fled intense fighting
during a Taleban offensive on the Shomali Plain north
of Kabul. Refugees say after the Taleban took control
of the area, its troops began forcing villagers from
their homes. Thousands moved into the capital seeking
shelter with relatives and friends. At least 16-
thousand people have settled in the former Soviet
embassy compound in the southwestern part of the city.
But the largest numbers of refugees from the fighting
moved north from the Shomali into the Panjsher,
overburdening aid operations in the narrow, isolated
valley.
Opposition spokesman Mohammad Arif says the refugee
situation is very bad and will get worse. Winter
snows have blocked other routes into the valley and
the only reliable way to move aid is north from Kabul
across the front lines. Mr. Arif says a number of aid
agencies, along with the opposition, are working in
the area to prepare people for the harsh winter.
The Taleban move comes despite U-N sanctions that took
effect last Sunday. The sanctions - which have frozen
overseas assets of the Taleban and have banned
Afghanistan's national airline from leaving the
country - are aimed at forcing the hard-line Islamic
movement to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin
Laden for trial. Mr. bin Laden is wanted by the
United States for his suspected role in the bombings
of two U-S embassies in Africa last year. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/JP
20-Nov-1999 11:37 AM EDT (20-Nov-1999 1637 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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