DATE=8/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / AFGHAN / TURKMENISTAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265985
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Regional leaders are stepping up efforts to
promote peace in war-town Afghanistan. In the latest
effort, a delegation from Turkmenistan has arrived in
Pakistan to discuss the civil war, which has claimed
hundreds of thousands of lives in Afghanistan and
destroyed much of the country's infrastructure. Ayaz
Gul reports from Islamabad.
TEXT: A former foreign minister of Turkmenistan,
Boris Sheikh Muradov, is leading the delegation. Mr.
Muradov is in Pakistan after visiting Afghanistan and
Iran, where he says he discussed ways to bring an end
to the Afghan civil war. Mr. Muradov is due to hold
similar talks with authorities in Pakistan. He says
he hopes his mission will promote dialogue for peace
between Afghanistan's Taleban movement and its
opposition forces.
/// Muradov Act ///
There is a very good chance to stop the
bloodshed in Afghanistan and to start new era in
Afghan development. I base my optimism on the
idea that very important neighboring countries
now consider (the ruling) Taleban a reality in
Afghanistan and they would like to develop all
kinds of dialogue and cooperation with the
Afghan government.
/// End Act ///
Among Afghanistan's neighbors, Pakistan and
Turkmenistan support the hard-line Taleban movement,
which controls most of the country. Iran, Uzbekistan
and Tajikistan support the anti-Taleban Northern
Alliance that holds the remaining 10 percent of the
country. The United Nations and international
community do not recognize Taleban sovereignty over
Afghanistan.
Mr. Muradov says his country does not share the
concerns expressed by other Central Asian states about
the Taleban's alleged support for Islamic terrorism.
A plan to transport natural gas from land-locked
Turkmenistan, through Afghanistan to Pakistan and
beyond has long been considered, but it requires peace
in Afghanistan. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JP
30-Aug-2000 11:10 AM LOC (30-Aug-2000 1510 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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