DATE=7/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264211
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Fierce fighting has broken out in Afghanistan
between the hard-line Taleban movement and opposition
forces north of the capital, Kabul. As correspondent
Scott Anger reports, the rival factions have ignored
repeated calls for peace by the United Nations
Security Council and have accused each other of firing
the first shots.
TEXT: Taleban fighter jets and heavy artillery have
pounded opposition positions across the Shomali
Plains, about 20 kilometers north of Kabul. Witnesses
in the capital say thick columns of smoke could be
seen rising in the distance as the rival factions
traded artillery and missiles.
Trucks with wounded Taleban soldiers have been seen
rushing to Kabul's military hospital.
The Afghan Islamic Press reports the heaviest fighting
has raged on two major fronts, one at Ghorband and the
other near the abandoned airbase at Bagram. The news
agency says the Taleban are progressing on both fronts
toward the town of Charikar. Civilians close to the
frontlines have started leaving the area.
The opposition, led by Commander Ahmad Shah Masood,
has blamed the Taleban for starting the fighting. But
a frontline Taleban commander told the Associated
Press opposition forces attacked first.
There is no independent confirmation on the
contradictory claims.
Earlier this month, fighting resumed between the two
sides after a long break in the bloody civil war.
Both sides suffered a number of casualties in the
fighting, which resulted in no major change in the
frontline.
On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council made
another appeal for peace in Afghanistan and warned the
Taleban and the opposition against pursuing a military
solution to the conflict.
The Taleban, which control about 90 percent of
Afghanistan, have been trying to extend their rule to
the remaining 10 percent of the country under the
control of opposition forces. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/PLM
09-Jul-2000 05:22 AM EDT (09-Jul-2000 0922 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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