Military

DATE= 12/4/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-283861

TITLE=AFGHAN TALKS / REACTION (L Only)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Officials from the United States and Pakistan are praising the

United Nations for progress made at talks to establish a transitional government in Afghanistan. Following a week of intense discussions in Germany, rival Afghan factions accepted a broad outline of how the war-ravaged country is to be ruled for the next six-month. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT: A spokesman for the U-S led coalition, Kenton Keith, told reporters in

Pakistan that the breakthrough in the talks is a remarkable achievement.

///KEITH ACT///

In reaching this agreement they (Afghan parties) are trying, for the first

time in decades, to give their country a government, which represents the

whole country and which can bring much needed peace, stability and

reconstruction to Afghanistan.

///END ACT///

According to the U-N sponsored plan, an interim government for six months

is to be put in place in Kabul as soon as possible. A Loya Jirga or

traditional assembly will then be held to elect a transitional ruling body

for 18-months until a constitution is drawn up and a permanent Afghan

government elected. But the delegates still have to agree on who will run

the country and diplomats say the process of naming ministerial posts could take a few days.

Pakistan has also congratulated the Untied Nations for the breakthrough in the Afghan talks. A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aziz Khan, told reporters that Pakistan hopes the rival Afghan factions will reach agreement soon on the composition of the interim Administration.

///KHAN ACT///

Mutual accommodation among Afghan leaders is necessary for peace and

stability and for return of normalcy after two decades of conflict and

strife. Pakistan too has borne heavy economic and social costs as a result

of the conflict in Afghanistan over the past two decades. The provision of

asylum to over three million refugees, has resulted in consequential

environmental damage, proliferation of weapons, narcotics trafficking,

smuggling and terrorist crimes.

///END ACT///

The Pakistani spokesman reiterated his country's demand for the deployment

of multinational forces in Kabul and demilitarization of the Afghan

capital. He said such a move will ensure the safety and the success of the

new political set up in Afghanistan.

The framework agreed to at the talks near Bonn would allow the deployment of an international security force if the parties agree. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/KBK