DATE=2/10/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245352
TITLE=AFGHAN / BIN LADEN (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE LEADERSHIP OF THE TALEBAN SAYS IT WILL NOT EXTRADITE
SUSPECTED TERRORIST OSAMA BIN LADEN. AS SCOTT ANGER REPORTS FROM
ISLAMABAD, THE UNITED STATES ASKED THE TALEBAN TO EXILE MR. BIN
LADEN, WHO IS ACCUSED OF MASTERMINDING THE ATTACKS LAST AUGUST ON
U-S EMBASSIES IN KENYA AND TANZANIA.
TEXT: AFTER MEETING IN THE SOUTHERN AFGHAN CITY OF KANDAHAR, THE
TALEBAN LEADERSHIP SAYS IT WILL NOT EXPEL SUSPECTED TERRORIST
OSAMA BIN LADEN. THE TALEBAN CALLS SUCH DEMANDS FROM THE UNITED
STATES UNFAIR AND NOT JUSTIFIED.
A TALEBAN SPOKESMAN (MULLAH ABDUL HAY MOTMAEM) SAYS THE MOVEMENT
NEEDS PROOF MR. BIN LADEN IS GUILTY OF TERRORISM. HE SAYS THEN
THE TALEBAN WILL TRY HIM IN THEIR ISLAMIC COURTS.
LAST WEEK, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE KARL INDERFURTH GAVE A
LETTER TO THE TALEBAN ASKING THEM TO HAND OVER MR. BIN LADEN TO
THE UNITED STATES OR TO SAUDI ARABIA. IF EITHER OF THOSE OPTIONS
WERE NOT AVAILABLE, THE LETTER ASKED THE TALEBAN TO EXPEL THE
SAUDI DISSIDENT.
THE UNITED STATES HAS INDICTED MR. BIN LADEN FOR MASTERMINDING
THE BOMBINGS OF THE U-S EMBASSIES LAST YEAR IN AFRICA.
IN AN EFFORT TO CAPTURE THE SUSPECTED TERRORIST, WASHINGTON IS
OFFERING A FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO
THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF MR. BIN LADEN, WHO IS LIVING IN
AFGHANISTAN. THE TALEBAN SEE HIM AS THEIR GUEST.
LAST AUGUST, THE UNITED STATES LAUNCHED A MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST
CAMPS INSIDE AFGHANISTAN WHERE U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE SAUDI
DISSIDENT WAS TRAINING TERRORISTS.
U-S OFFICIALS REPORTEDLY HAVE BROADENED THEIR ANTI-TERRORIST
OPERATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. U-S ANTI-TERRORISM COORDINATOR
RICHARD CLARKE TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE UNITED STATES MAY
NOW CHOOSE TO RETALIATE AGAINST FACILITIES OF A COUNTRY SUSPECTED
OF HARBORING TERRORISTS.
DURING TALKS THIS WEEK IN ISLAMABAD, BRITISH AUTHORITIES TOLD THE
TALEBAN TO -- GET CONTROL OF THE SAUDI DISSIDENT. THE TALEBAN
SAYS MR. BIN LADEN'S ACTIVITIES IN AFGHANISTAN HAVE BEEN
RESTRICTED. THE TALEBAN, WHICH CONTROLS MOST OF AFGHANISTAN,
SAYS IT CANNOT ALLOW SOMEONE TO CONDUCT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES FROM
ITS TERRITORY.
DURING AN INTERVIEW LAST DECEMBER, OSAMA BIN LADEN DENIED
INVOLVEMENT IN THE AFRICAN BOMBING, BUT RENEWED HIS CALL FOR
ATTACKS ON ISRAELIS AND AMERICANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
10-Feb-99 8:48 AM EST (1348 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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