DATE= 03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER =2-287532

TITLE=AFGHAN / KING (S ONLY)

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=KABUL

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: The former king of Afghanistan has delayed his return to his homeland. As V-O-A correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Kabul, a number of reasons have been given for the change.

TEXT: Sources close to ex-king Zahir Shah tell V-O-A he will now return to Afghanistan on March 27th, six days later than originally planned. Zahir Shah had been scheduled to make his homecoming on March 21st, the day of Nowruz, the Afghan New Year.

Royal sources cite several reasons for the delay. The accommodations are not yet ready, the 87-year-old ex-monarch needs medical checks before he travels. But they say there are also security concerns.

Rumors abound here about the whereabouts and intentions of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former Mujahedin leader who is opposed to the king. He had been in Iran, but disappeared last month.

Zahir Shah was deposed by his cousin in 1973 and has been living in exile in Rome ever since. His aides say he has no pretensions to reclaim his throne. However, his return has high symbolic significance, as he is seen as someone who can help unite the country and heal the wounds wrought by 23 years of war and civil strife. (signed)

NEB/GPT/RH