DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN / WARNING (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262470
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMBAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: International aid donors have warned
warring factions in Afghanistan that an outbreak
of fighting could threaten assistance to the war-
ravaged country. As Ayaz Gul reports, the
warning follows reports that rival facitons are
preparing for all-out war as mountain passes re-
open this year.
TEXT: The warning comes from the Afghanistan
Support Group, which is made up of countries and
organizations that give humanitarian aid to the
country. In a letter to the dominant Taleban
movement and its opposition, the group asks both
sides to devote their resources to fighting the
drought in the country and not each other.
The letter says that "the primary responsibility
for dealing with the consequences of the drought"
rests with the authorities that control the
affected areas. The Taleban controls about 90
percent of Afghanistan, including the provinces
in southern part of the country where the drought
is most severe.
The letter also warns that humanitarian and
development assistance will only be provided to
Afghanistan as part of an overall effort to
achieve peace. It says any aid to the war-torn
country cannot be used for military or political
purposes.
/// OPT /// While the aid donors say they want
to help the drought-hit population, they say the
resumption of fighting in Afghanistan could
affect future donations and development
assistance to the country. /// END OPT ///
Two decades of war in Afghanistan has destroyed
the country's infrastructure. International
efforts to bring peace to the country have so far
failed. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/KL
17-May-2000 10:46 AM EDT (17-May-2000 1446 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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