DATE=7/6/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN SANCTIONS
NUMBER=5-46612
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations imposed economic sanctions
on the Taleban movement in Afghanistan last November
at the urging of the United States. The sanctions are
part of an effort to force the hard-line Islamic group
to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.
From the Afghan capital Kabul, Correspondent Scott
Anger reports the sanctions are hurting the dirt-poor
people of Afghanistan, not the Taleban.
TEXT: When the United Nations imposed sanctions
against Afghanistan's hard-line Taleban movement last
year, it was expected to force the Taleban to
cooperate with the world community to bring Osama bin
Laden to justice. But eight-months later, the
sanctions have not accomplished their goal.
Mr. bin Laden is still living under the protection of
the Taleban, which says there is no hard evidence
linking him to any terrorist act.
A Taleban deputy Interior minister in Kabul, Mullah
Khaksar, says the Taleban told the United Nations that
sanctions would not help solve the standoff.
/// ACT IN PASHTO, UP THEN UNDER ///
He says the United Nations should think about the poor
people and the poor nation, which has suffered through
years of war. Mr. Khaksar says the sanctions will
only hurt the people, not the Taleban.
/// AMBIENCE OF SHEEP MARKET ////
In a sheep market in western Kabul, men gather in the
afternoon heat to talk about the poor economy. Many
blame the current U-N sanctions for their increasing
poverty, and others such as Mohammed Omar say the
whole nation should not be punished for deeds of one
man.
/// PASHTO ACT UP THEN FADE ///
He asks the United Nations and other countries not to
impose further sanctions on Afghanistan just because
of Osama bin Laden. Mr. Omar says the country's
economy has been destroyed and is being severely
affected by drought. He says the people need help to
overcome these problems, not sanctions.
The current sanctions include freezing Taleban
overseas financial assets, and restricting planes
owned, leased or operated by the hard-line Islamic
group from taking off or landing outside Afghanistan.
But U-N officials question whether it is the sanctions
or the two-year old drought that is driving food
prices higher and making life more difficult for the
people. The world body contends that food is getting
into the country, despite the flight ban on the
national airline that traditionally transported
foodstuffs from the nearby Persian Gulf region.
A recent U-N survey found more than 360 border
crossings into Afghanistan from neighboring countries.
Since the imposition of sanctions in November, the
number of goods from Dubai and Pakistan has dwindled,
but goods imported from neighboring Iran are appearing
more frequently in the markets and bazaars in the
capital.
Despite the hardships people are suffering, most still
support the Taleban position that the expulsion of Mr.
bin Laden is against the country's, centuries-old
tradition, which prevents a guest from being turned
over to his enemies.
Lal Badshah says he does not agree Osama bin Laden is
a terrorist.
/// PASHTO ACT, UP THEN UNDER ///
He says the Afghan nation is not ready to give up Mr.
bin Laden because he is a mujahid, or freedom fighter
that fought to drive out the Soviet invaders in the
1980s. He says Mr. bin Laden is a Muslim who has
taken refuge in Afghanistan and Mr. Badshah asks; how
can a person who has taken refuge in this country,
damage American interests?
But the United Nations and the United States say Mr.
bin Laden has harmed American interests by
masterminding the bombings of two U-S embassies in
Africa in 1998. More than 200-people were killed in
the attacks in Kenya and Tanzania. In retaliation,
the United States launched about 70-cruise missiles on
suspected camps in Afghanistan, allegedly run by Mr.
bin Laden.
Since the current round of sanctions has not resulted
in the expulsion of Osama bin Laden, the United
Nations is exploring the possibility of additional
sanctions to force the Taleban to comply with the
world's wishes.
But the United Nations says it is wary of tougher
sanctions, following complaints by U-N officials in
Iraq who say sanctions there hurt the people they are
trying to help. The Iraq measures are intended to
help depose leader Saddam Hussein.
As a result, the world body is looking at imposing
sanctions that would be more Taleban specific and
would have less impact on the people of Afghanistan.
Additional measures could include a complete
international ban on travel by Taleban officials, fuel
sanctions, an arms embargo, and trade sanctions.
As the Taleban continues to stand defiantly against
the wishes of the rest of the world, the Online Center
for Afghan Studies says it will be less likely Osama
bin Laden will leave Afghanistan peacefully. It says
although economic sanctions would further isolate the
Taleban politically and economically, the hard-line
movement has shown, so far, it can survive.
The publication predicts further sanctions will only
hurt the people of Afghanistan, who suffered through a
decade-long Soviet invasion in the 1980's, and who
continue to suffer through the on-going civil war.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
06-Jul-2000 09:17 AM EDT (06-Jul-2000 1317 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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