Afghan Taliban dismisses Tajik fear of instability

KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) -- Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement said on Sunday that its recent victories over opponents posed no threat to Central Asian neighbors, dismissing fears voiced by Tajikistan of creeping regional instability.

"As the troops of the (Taliban) Islamic Emirate advance closer to the Tajikistan border, this will certainly bring security and stability to the region," Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil told a news conference in Kabul.

"They should not have the fear that we may interfere in their affairs," he said.

GALLERY A look at the rule of the Taliban     RESOURCES Background on Afghanistan

Tajikistan's foreign minister said last Thursday the former Soviet republic's stability was threatened by religious extremists and terrorists trained in Afghanistan.

A day later, Afghanistan's ousted president, Burhanuddin Rabbani, appealed for foreign help to fight the Taliban, saying it posed a threat to Central Asia.

Muttawakil said the Taliban, which swept to power in 1996, had never violated borders with Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

"This should be a living proof and a good reassurance that we do not want to meddle in their affairs," he said, offering to open dialogue on the concerns of Central Asian states.

Muttawakil said the Taliban was also ready for dialogue with its Western critics, led by the United States, over the issues of human rights, drugs and the presence of terrorist suspects in Afghanistan.

The Taliban controls more than 90 percent of Afghanistan but its government is recognized by only three countries -- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Rabbani still occupies the Afghan seat at the United Nations.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Russia reports fighting in northern Afghanistan, near Tajik border
September 23, 2000
Afghan Taliban said to seize opposition district
September 19, 2000
Taliban capture key northern city after heavy fighting
September 6, 2000
Russia proposes U.N. solution to fighting in Afghanistan
September 6, 2000
Afghan Taliban demand world recognition
August 24, 2000
United Nations worried extremists using Afghanistan as base
August 23, 2000

Taliban Islamic Movement
Afghanistan Information Center

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.