- Title: Afghanistan/Pakistan: Winter weather/ Afghan Refugees/Rebels' meeting
- Date: 16th February 1989
- Summary: 1. JEEP FULL OF SOLDIERS ON SNOW COVERED ROAD 2. AFGHAN SOLDIERS WITH GUNS 3. TANK GOING PAST KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FEBRUARY 16, 1989) 4. CARS IN SNOW COVERED STREET 5. PEOPLE WALKING IN SNOW WITH UMBRELLAS 6. WOMAN IN TRADITIONAL ROBES WALKING IN SNOW 7. SQUARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH MOSQUE IN BACKGROUND 8. AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABDUL VAKIL SPEAKING (PASHTU
- Embargoed: 3rd March 1989 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SALANG HIGHWAY, KABU AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA9BBYI0KPM25U5MME03FHFW3K5
- Story Text: SALANG HIGHWAY, KABU AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
In Afghanistan the last motorised unit of the Soviet Union has gone through the Salang Pass about 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of the Soviet border, Moscow radio said on Saturday. Soviet patrols posted along a highway to guard against attacks by Mujahideen guerrillas would be withdrawn, it added.
The 3,600-metre (12,000 feet) high Salang Pass through the mountains worth of Kabul is on the main highway connecting the Afghan capital with the soviet border. The highway has been the departure route for thousands of Soviet troops leaving Afghanistan. It was also the scene of fierce fighting three weeks ago when Afghan and Soviet forces mounted a heavy offensive to try and clear the area of rebels.
The highway is also being used by government convoys carrying emergency food and fuel to Kabul. Thousands of vehicles in the city have been abandoned because of a petrol shortage. Distribution points for flour and other food have been set up all over the city.
Twenty Iranian prisoners were released in Kabul on Saturday in a bid to improve relations with its western neighbour, a foreign ministry spokesman said. The Afghan spokesman said the prisoners had been jailed for political activities and were being released as a goodwill gesture on the 10th anniversary of the revolution which brought the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power in Iran.
In a speech broadcast from Kabul on radio and television that day President Najibullah accused Pakistan of planning to invade Afghanistan with the intention of annexing his country. He said Pakistani military units were massing on the border near the eastern Afghan city of Jalabad. Najibullah linked his charges to a consultative council being held in Pakistan by Afghan rebel leaders aimed at forming an interim government to run the country after the withdrawal of Soviet troops due to be completed on Wednesday.
<strong>Source: REUTERS</strong> - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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