(8 Oct 1996) Farsi/Nat

Taliban forces clashed with forces loyal to warlord Rashid Dostum in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to reports from the region.

Dostum was earlier said to have been staying out of the conflict between Taliban soldiers and pro-government troops.

APTV has pictures, shot Sunday, of Dostum and his forces at their base in the town of Mazar.

General Abdul Rashid Dostum -- the man who could hold the key to the future of Afghanistan.

He's been biding his time -- supporting neither the Taliban which captured Kabul last month, nor pro-government forces who've been trying to counter-attack.

But reports Tuesday said he may be siding with government troops.

The streets of his stronghold city Mazar i Sharif, in northern Afghanistan are decorated with Dostum's portraits.

Dostum's army is well equipped with Soviet made tanks, warplanes and heavy artillery.

Rapid reaction exercises are held as part of the daily routine.

But on Sunday Dostum talked peace.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"Very soon we shall hold the Council where I will call upon all the leaders of Afghanistan to give their first effort to prevent the bloodshed in Afghanistan."
SUPER CAPTION: General Abdul Rashid Dostum

He favoured negotiations with the Taliban:

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"I have proposed to the Taliban not to continue with this war since it is better to solve our problems peacefully, through negotiations rather than fighting"
SUPER CAPTION: General Abdul Rashid Dostum

Dostum could tip the balance of power for complete control of Afghanistan if he now takes ousted president Rabbani's side.

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