71.  Sources said representatives of the former king were in contact with various Afghan groups to assess the mood and to prepare for his return.

72.  The conference opened on Saturday with delegations from the main Afghan groups opposed to the Taliban, as well as from Turkmenistan, Turkey and Pakistan.

73.  The dramatic rise of the Talibans in the past six months has also jeopardized the UN plan, drafted after several months of discussions with various Afghan groups.

74.  The force was part of an accord struck in Germany this month by rival Afghan groups who named Karzai as interim leader.