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Straw Says Situation in Kunduz ‘Grave’
Saturday, November 24, 2001
(20:45 GMT)
Islam Online & News Agencies
Additional Reporting by IOL Correspondent in Pakistan, Aamir Latif

Straw described his meeting with Kharrazi as "constructive" and welcomed what he called Iran's complete commitment to a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan
British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said Friday the situation in the besieged northern Afghan city of Kunduz was grave, and that Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters who want to surrender should not be mistreated.

"Our position is very straightforward: that is that if people are ready to surrender...then the surrender should be accepted,” Straw told reporters after meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar. "We all understand the potential humanitarian disaster that is possible in Kunduz.”

Straw arrived in Islamabad late Thursday from Iran on the second leg of a diplomatic mission to promote a broad-based government in Afghanistan. He also met the U. N. envoy to Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell.

The Afghan Northern Alliance has accepted the surrender of thousands of Taliban fighters and their Pakistani, Arab and Chechen allies in Kunduz, which is under siege. Many more remain in the city and have vowed to fight to the death.
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