U-N AFGHANISTAN


DATE=4/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N AFGHANISTAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261065
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United Nations Security Council today 
(Friday) strongly condemned human rights violations by 
the Taleban rulers in Afghanistan. VOA Correspondent 
Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.  
TEXT:  Before the Council issued its statement, it 
heard a dismal report from U-N official John Renniger 
who said it is not possible to be optimistic about the 
situation in Afghanistan. He said there are signs the 
Taleban, which controls about 90 percent of the 
country, is planning a major military offensive 
against the United Front faction.
Mr. Renniger said gross human rights violations by the 
Taleban continue, including summary executions, 
arbitrary detention and forced displacement of 
civilians. Mr. Renniger said the mistreatment of women 
and girls in Taleban-controlled areas is especially 
outrageous.
             ///Renniger act///
      Women's access to education, health, employment 
      and public life has been extremely negatively 
      affected by the Taleban military victories. 
      Where gender issues are concerned, the Taleban 
      ideology amounts to a series of edicts banning 
      women from all public activities.
            ///end act///
United States Ambassador Richard Holbrooke told the 
Security Council the actions of the Taleban against 
women can not be justified on religious or cultural 
grounds.
            ///Holbrooke act///
      As Hillary Rodham Clinton -- one of our 
      country's leaders in the effort to protect and 
      empower the rights of women and girls around the 
      globe - said at the White House last December, 
      the abuse of fundamental freedoms are not, and I 
      quote "are not customs. They are not religious 
      practices. They are violations of human rights.
            ///end act///
Mr. Holbrooke again demanded that the Taleban turn 
over terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden. The Taleban's 
decision to harbor Mr. bin Laden led to U-N sanctions 
against the Taleban last November.
The Security Council session was held during Canada's 
presidency of the Council. At the end of the meeting, 
Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy read a formal 
statement endorsed by all members. The statement 
reminds all nations of their obligation to uphold 
sanctions against the Taleban but that the sanctions 
are not meant to further harm the Afghan people.
            ///Axworthy act///
      The sanctions are not aimed at the Afghan people 
      but are imposed against the Taleban because of 
      its non-compliance with the (U-N) resolution. 
      The Council reaffirms its decision to assess the 
      impact, including the humanitarian implications, 
      of the measures imposed by that resolution.
            ///end act///
The statement also repeated the Security Council's  
position that only a broad-based, multi-ethnic 
government can lead to peace in Afghanistan. The 
Council again urged the Taleban to resume negotiations 
with the United Front under U-N auspices. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE/PT
07-Apr-2000 17:34 PM EDT (07-Apr-2000 2134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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