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[Second Issue of the Day]
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Afghan opposition commander, Russian army chief meet in
Tajikistan
DUSHANBE, Oct 18 (AFP) - The military commander of Afghanistan's opposition, General Mohammad Qassim Fahim, held talks in Dushanbe Thursday with Russian military supremo General Anatoly Kvashnin, diplomatic sources said.
Fahim briefed Kvashnin on the latest fighting in Afghanistan, and the military tactics of the Northern Alliance, which is seeking to oust the Taliban in the wake of US-led air strikes.
The two military commanders also discussed "Russia's supply of weapons to the opposition forces," a Tajik military source said.
Russia has pledged to send arms worth 30 million to 45 million dollars to the Northern Alliance, with the first consignment of up to 50 Soviet-built T-55 and T-62 tanks and 80 armoured vehicles due to arrive shortly.
Other material to be delivered includes four to six Mi-24 combat helicopters and a similar number of Mi-8 transport helicopters, grenade-launchers, mortars and telecommunications systems.
Kvashnin, who is Russia's chief of the general staff, also met the Afghan government-in-exile's foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah in the Tajik capital.
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