U.S. gives wheat to drought-hit Afghanistan

"We have the highest regard for the people of Afghanistan and the sanctions are largely against the government and not against the people," he said.

Angered by the Afghan government's insistence on continuing to shelter alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, Washington early last year imposed sanctions on trade and investment with the Taliban, who control the capital, Kabul, and about 90% of the countryside. In November, the United Nations also banned international flights of Ariana--Afghanistan's national air carrier.

The sanctions were aimed at pressuring the Taliban into handing over bin Laden, who is accused of masterminding the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people, including 12 Americans.

Milam said there was no government operating in Afghanistan--which has been fighting a decade-long civil war--"only warring factions fighting over territory," he said.

According to Taliban officials and the United Nations, those hardest hit by the drought have been Afghanistan's nomadic tribes, whose livestock have been virtually wiped out. The Taliban have relocated entire villages to areas where there is water and brought helicopters loaded with water to some areas.

The United Nations has issued an appeal for $1.8 million in emergency aid.

On June 14, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced a $1.4 million donation to help people in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan--all hit by the devastating drought.

In India the monsoon rains have eased the problem, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan the relentless dry spell continues.

In Pakistan an estimated 70% of the herds in southwestern and southeastern regions have been wiped out. Tens of thousands of people are on the move in search of water, say U.N. and Pakistani officials.

In Pakistan, the Red Crescent Society has set up food distribution centers. In Afghanistan the plan by the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies is to set up health services, says a release issued by the international aid organization.