DATE=12/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243485
TITLE=AFGHAN BIN LADEN (L)
BYLINE=SARAH HORNER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SAUDI MILITANT OSAMA BIN LADEN HAS DENIED INVOLVEMENT IN
THE BOMBING LAST AUGUST OF TWO AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN AFRICA.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MR. BIN LADEN HAS COMMENTED ON U-S
ALLEGATIONS HE MASTER-MINDED THE ATTACKS. SARAH HORNER HAS THE
DETAILS FROM ISLAMABAD.
TEXT: THE PAKISTAN-BASED AFGHAN ISLAMIC PRESS (A-I-P) REPORTS
OSAMA BIN LADEN SAYS HE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE BOMB BLASTS WHICH
KILLED 224-PEOPLE IN KENYA AND TANZANIA. BUT HE IS QUOTED AS
SAYING HE DOES NOT REGRET WHAT HAPPENED THERE. HE SAYS AFRICAN
MUSLIMS MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS.
A-I-P SAYS MR. BIN LADEN MADE HIS REMARKS DURING AN INTERVIEW IN
AFGHANISTAN (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE OFFICIAL BAKHTAR NEWS AGENCY.
THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS INDICTED MR. BIN LADEN FOR INVOLVEMENT IN
THE ATTACKS IN AFRICA AND IS OFFERING A FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR
REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO HIS CAPTURE.
SHORTLY AFTER THE BOMBINGS, THE UNITED STATES FIRED DOZENS OF
CRUISE MISSILES INTO AFGHANISTAN, TARGETING SUSPECTED CAMPS WHERE
WASHINGTON SAID MR. BIN LADEN WAS TRAINING TERRORISTS.
MR. BIN LADEN SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE TALEBAN WILL EXPEL HIM
FROM AFGHANISTAN AND HE EXPRESSES HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE
TALEBAN'S STRICT ISLAMIC SYSTEM.
TALEBAN AUTHORITIES HAVE REFUSED AMERICAN EXTRADITION REQUESTS
FOR MR. BIN LADEN BECAUSE THEY SAY HE IS THEIR GUEST AND IN
KEEPING WITH AFGHAN TRADITION THEY WILL PROTECT HIM. THE TALEBAN
SAYS IT HAS RESTRICTED MR. BIN LADEN'S ACCESS TO THE MEDIA AFTER
HE MADE SEVERAL THREATS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES DURING
INTERVIEWS EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
THE TALEBAN'S SUPREME COURT LAST MONTH FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MR.
BIN LADEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE EMBASSY BOMBINGS AFTER A TWO-WEEK
INQUIRY. THE COURT SAID THE U-S GOVERNMENT DID NOT PRODUCE
CREDIBLE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A CASE AGAINST MR BIN LADEN.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SLH/RAE/KL
24-Dec-98 12:06 PM EST (1706 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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