AFGHANISTAN TALKS CONCLUDE IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA; AGREEMENT REACHED ON PRISONER EXCHANGE

Press Release
SG/SM/7388
AFG/115

AFGHANISTAN TALKS CONCLUDE IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA; AGREEMENT REACHED ON PRISONER EXCHANGE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The indirect talks on Afghanistan under the auspices of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ended today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. An agreement on a comprehensive exchange of prisoners of war was reached yesterday by the two warring parties -- the Taliban and the United Front. The talks were conducted by the OIC Committee on Afghanistan, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran, and with the participation of the Personal Representative of the Secretary- General for Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been contacted by the head of the OIC Committee and requested to make the necessary arrangements for the early implementation of the agreement in consultation with the two sides.

* *** *