S P O T L I G H T

Iraq, Russia talks
MOSCOW, April 16 (PTI) — Meeting for the first time after the Gulf war, Iraqi Defence Minister Gen Sultan Hashem Ahmad discussed “key international issues” with his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyev during his visit here, Itar-Tass reported today. The leaders “discussed questions concerning the current international situation, notably in the Persian Gulf” the agency said quoting the Russian Defence Ministry.

Minister arrested
ISLAMABAD, April 16 (PTI) — Afghanistan’s Taliban Aviation Minister and 10 Kandahar airport staff members have been arrested by the militia on suspicion of conniving with the opposition, media reports said here today. The arrests are part of Taliban’s vigorous campaign to ascertain as to how opposition commander and former Governor of Herat, Ismail Khan, fled from the heavily guarded Kandahar prison last month, the “Jang” newspaper reported. A Taliban spokesman, when contacted in Islamabad, denied the report. Earlier reports had said that Mr Ismail Khan had crossed into neighbouring Iran.