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US to release over $200 mn worth of Afghan assets

The United States has decided to release over $200 million worth of blocked Afghan gold and other assets, which will shortly be turned over to the interim government.

The assets blocked in 1999 during the Taliban regime was kept in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The foreign assets control chief of the US treasury department on Wednesday approved the license for the release of $193 million worth of gold and $24 million in other assets.

Secretary of State Colin Powell had certified that the interim authority was the legitimate holder of the account, the department said on Thursday night.

US treasury secretary Paul O'Neill said, "The blocked assets are held until a recognised regime is in place and the funds can be directed back to the legitimate holders."

"These funds will now be available to help stabilise the Afghan economy, strengthen the operations of the central bank, and shape a better future for the people of Afghanistan." state department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

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