Information on the whether the government of Saudi Arabia officially recognizes the Taliban government in Afghanistan, and if so, the date recognition was extended and whether it provides the Taliban government with any kind of support could not be obtained from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa.

On Sunday, 25 May 1997 Pakistan officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, and the following day, Saudi Arabia also extended its official recognition (The News International 27 May 1997; AFP-MAIL 25 May 1997). Later that same week, the UAE became the third country to confer official recognition (The News International 30 May 1997; AFP-MAIL 28 May 1997). By the end of 1997 these three governments remained the only ones to have recognized the Taliban (VOA 30 Dec. 1997; IPS 24 Nov. 1997).

Information on whether the Saudi government provides the Taliban government in Afghanistan with any support could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

AFP-MAIL. 28 May 1997. "Afghanistan-Arabie: Les Taliban disent avoir interdit toute activité militants à Ben Laden." [Internet/E-mail] [Accessed 28 May 1997]

_____. 25 May 1997. "Afghanistan-Pakistan Lead: Le Pakistan reconnait le régime des Taliban"

Inter Press Service (IPS). 24 November 1997. Farhan Haq. "Afghanistan-Rights: Massacre Underlines Problems for Taliban." (NEXIS)

The News International [Karachi]. 30 May 1997. "Dispute Over Afghan Embassy in Washington." [Internet] [No Access date]

_____. 27 May 1997. "Taleban Win Saudi Recognition, March Blocked." [Internet] [No Access date]

Voice of America (VOA). 30 December 1997. Meredith Buel. "Yearender: Afghanistan '97." [Internet] [Accessed 2 Jan. 1998]

Asian Survey [Berkeley, Calif.]. Monthly. September 1996-present.

Jane's Intelligence Review [Surrey]. Monthly. December 1995-present.

Resource Centre. "Afghanistan" country file. September-December 1996, January-May 1997, October 1997-present.

_____. "Afghanistan: Amnesty International" country file. October 1996-present.

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases.