Afghan, U.S. envoys meet in Islamabad

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 8. The Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Abdus Salam Zaeef, called on the U.S. American Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. William B. Milam, here on Thursday and is believed to have exchanged views on the current political situation in Afghanistan.

The meeting assumes significance as it has come at a juncture when the United Nations is due to consider imposition of new sanctions against the Taliban regime. Incidentally this is the second meeting of the Afghanistan Ambassador with his American counterpart in the last five weeks.

Media reports have speculated that Mr. Zaeef could have discussed the issue of handing over of Osama bin Laden to the United Nations for his alleged role in the bombing of U.S. missions in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

While the U.S. is insisting that he be handed over for trail in the bombings case, the Taliban has refused to oblige the Americans on the plea that no evidence about his involvement in the incidents has been produced.

Mr. Zaeef is on record that Afghanistan has offered four alternatives to the U.S. on Osama bin Laden.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Colombo for early SAARC summit
Next     : E.U. House calls for sanctions on Taliban