SHANGHAI: Shangai dissident Yao Zhenxianwas to flee to the United States on Wednesday to avoid arrest in the crackdown on the opposition China Democracy Party (CDP). US officials promptly accepted Yao's request for travel documents after overseas members of the banned party decided he would be in danger if he stayed in the country, US-based pro-democracy activist Bao Ge said in a statement. Yao's father said the dissident left for the airport at with his wife and daughter, who were to accompany him on the trip. US consulate spokesman refused to comment on the decision to grant Yao special US entry papers. ``The decision is made in Washington, it is not made here,'' he said.

United Nations: UN Security Council has accused the Pakistani-backed Taliban militia in Afghanistan of committing large-scale human rights violations including reported killings of thousands of Shiite Muslims and sheltering international terrorists. A unanimous resolution threatened Taliban with unspecified measures unless they cease fire and start talks with otherethnic groups for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It also slammed Taliban for growing cultivation, production and trafficking in drugs and continuing discrimination against women. The lengthy resolution expressed concern over increasingly ethnic and religious based persecution, particularly against the Shiites during their takeover of the northern part of the country.