Around the World

Bin Laden likely to stay in Afghanistan

The proposal to resolve the dispute was one of several that are apparently unacceptable to Washington, which is demanding bin Laden be handed over to the United States or a third country for trial on charges that he masterminded last year's twin bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa.

The United States has banned trade with or investment in the war-shattered Muslim country, which also faces U.N. sanctions if it does not deliver bin Laden by Nov. 14.

The Taliban, wanting to avoid sanctions and shed their pariah state status, have tried to open official lines of communication with Washington.

In Washington, a State Department official said yesterday that the United States is willing to resume discussions, not negotiations, with the Taliban concerning U.N. sanctions.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also expressed regret about reports that the Taliban's supreme leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, has decided to abandon discussions with the United States.

Armenian parliament replaces slain leaders

Members of parliament elected deputy Armen Khachatrian of the People's Party as speaker. Khachatrian, 42, replaces Karen Demirchian, who was shot dead by the gunmen while on the assembly's podium.

11-03-99