"INTL PRESSURE HAVING PERVERSE EFFECT"
May 9 - Globe & Mail
GEOFFREY YORK - KABUL -

Instead of taming the Taliban, the sanctions and embargoes are actually strengthening the regime, bolstering its hard-line anti-Western faction and weakening moderates who favour co-operation with the outside world." Western aid workers in Kabul, who negotiate with the Taliban on key issues such as women's rights, have found the regime increasingly hostile and inflexible as the sanctions grow tougher. - Negotiations between the Taliban and international aid agencies are becoming increasingly difficult, the UN worker said. "They're telling us, 'Do it our way or we don't know whether we want you to stay here." Kofi Annan and "interviews in the streets of Kabul" agree difficulties increased by sanctions - "Canada voted in favour of the sanctions, but Canadian Ambassador to the UN Paul Heinbecker said they should be more sensitive to humanitarian concerns."