Russia Imposes Sanctions Against Afghan TalibanRussian President Vladimir Putin Friday imposed an embargo on the delivery of military and dual- purpose goods to Afghanistan, the Kremlin press service said Saturday.Under a decree Putin signed Friday, Russia forbids the supply, sale and transfer of military or dual-purpose goods, spare parts, technologies and ancillary equipment from Russia to Afghanistan. Russia also bars providing technical consulting services or military training for Afghanistan and prohibits all Russian officials, representatives and contract servicemen to be in that country to assist on army or security issues. Moscow will close all Taliban branches and representative offices in Russian, freeze all bank accounts and other financial property of exiled Saudi Arabian Bin Laden, a famous Islamic extremist and terrorist supporter who is believed to hide in Afghanistan. Russia will not allow Taliban officials at the ministerial and higher levels to enter Russia. Taliban took power in Afghanistan five years ago, but is not controlling the whole country. Moscow says that the activities of Taliban and Bin Laden have posed serious threats to the national security of Russia and Central Asian states. Taliban announced recently that it would ruin the world-known Buddhist statues in the Bamian Province of Afghanistan, which have been listed by the United Nations as world cultural heritage. The move has triggered worldwide criticisms and strong calls for severe sanctions against Taliban. |
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