The World - News from March 17, 1988

Pakistan said in Geneva that it wants a firm agreement that separate U.N.-sponsored talks will be held between Afghan guerrillas and the Soviet-backed Afghan government before signing a long-awaited accord for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s chief negotiator, Zain Noorani, said such negotiations on a transitional Afghan government do not have to be under way before the accord is signed, but the principle must be accepted by Moscow and Kabul. In Pakistan, a spokesman said the seven-party guerrilla alliance has decided to send an observer delegation to Geneva.