1.  Before his arrival in Berlin, President Putin promised more weapons for the dispirited Afghan opposition forces ranged against the Taliban in the north of the country.

2.  Afghan opposition groups control the major roadways to the north and the south.

3.  Afghan opposition spokesmen have said they have indications that Mullah Omar and bin Laden are traveling together.

4.  Afghan opposition forces said they were advancing steadily toward Mazar-e-Sharif with the help of round-the-clock U.S. bombing.

5.  Afghan opposition forces, including Northern Alliance troops, closed in around the southern city of Kandahar, the last stronghold under Taliban control.

6.  Afghan opposition leaders like Zarian are Pashtun, and not close allies of the Northern Alliance, which is led by members of the minority Tajiks and Uzbeks.

7.  Delegates from four different Afghan opposition groups will meet with U.N. officials to discuss forming a provisional council that will govern the country.

8.  Delegates from four different Afghan opposition groups will meet with U.N. and U.S. diplomats.

9.  Earlier this week, the Bush administration appointed a special envoy to work with the Afghan opposition group as well as governments in the region.

10.  Even before the strikes, the Afghan opposition forces fighting the ruling Taliban were making their push.