Afghan humanitarian crisis: West links aid to human rights

Western diplomats Tuesday linked humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to an improvement in human rights after meeting a Taliban delegation on a landmark visit to Europe. On the final day of the Taliban's first official trip to Europe since returning to power in August, the fundamentalists held talks behind closed doors with several Western diplomats. The Taliban are seeking international recognition and financial aid. No country has yet recognised the fundamentalist regime. The Taliban delegation, led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, met senior French foreign ministry official Bertrand Lotholary, Britain's special envoy Nigel Casey, and members of the Norwegian foreign ministry. Western diplomats laid out what they expected from the Taliban during the talks. Apart from seeking guarantees of education for both boys and girls, Norway also called on the Taliban to respect human rights, in particular those of women and minorities.