U.S. diplomat meets ex-King

LONDON, SEPT. 26. Overriding objections by Pakistan, a top U.S. diplomat in Italy has met the exiled King of Afghanistan, Mr. Mohammad Zahir Shah, who has signalled his readiness to return to his homeland. According to media reports here, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Rome, Mr. William Pope, discussed the situation in Afghanistan with the 86-year-old Shah, who has been in exile since 1973. The U.S. State Department spokesman, Mr. Richard Boucher, said in Washington yesterday that Mr. Shah has ``a continuing interest in ending the bloodshed in his country so far,'' the British Broadcasting Corporation reported. It did not say when the meeting took place, but quoted Mr. Boucher as saying the meeting was one of many the U.S. has been holding with Afghan Opposition groups and individuals.

Meanwhile, the former king has told Turkish and Italian newspapers, as well as a visiting delegation of British Tory party members of the European Parliament, that he is keen to return to Afghanistan to help bring about an end to the crisis there.

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Section  : International
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