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IAM foreign staff leave Afghanistan

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 International Assistance Mission (IAM) no longer has expatriate staff in Afghanistan, according to a press release from the organization dated September 2.

While eight foreign staff members of the German-based Shelter Now International are being tried on the charge of proselytization, IAM foreign personnel left the country within 72 hours as ordered by the Taliban government.

The government directive followed an August 30 meeting between IAM Acting Executive Director Tim Mindling and representatives of Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. IAM offices, projects and residences were also sealed after the discussions.

IAM said it was stunned by the total closure of its operations after 35 years of service alongside Afghans in the fields of health, economic development, education and rehabilitation.

"Hundreds of thousands of people will be deprived of vital assistance at this critical time," the organization said.

Some 300 Afghan nationals were employed by IAM in addition to 117 professionals from 17 countries. A $2.5 million disaster management program began April this year to provide relief in drought-stricken areas of the country, already devastated by war. Another 10 programs provided wide-ranging services in health, community development and education.

The September 2 press release said all IAM programs had "operated under negotiated and signed protocols with the Taliban Ministry of Planning." While not denying its Christian concern for the poor, IAM said it had "always been meticulous in respecting and honouring the laws, regulations and culture of Afghanistan and the current Government." It added that it was still committed to mutually agreed protocols.

Also evicted were foreign staff of Serve, another Christian humanitarian group. No information of the 16 Afghan staff of Shelter Now International, arrested with their expatriate colleagues more than four weeks ago, was available. They face possible execution for converting, or trying to convert other Afghans, to Christianity.

September 5, 2001
General Board of Global Ministries
United Methodist Church
475 Riverside Drive - New York, New York 10115
1-800-UMC-GBGM