DATE=3/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246430
TITLE=SENATE-AFGHANISTAN(L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ISSUED A FRESH WARNING TO
THE RULING TALEBAN PARTY IN AFGHANISTAN NOT TO HARBOR ACCUSED
TERRORIST OSAMA BIN LADEN. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.
TEXT: TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL (TUESDAY), ASSISTANT SECRETARY
OF STATE KARL INDERFURTH REJECTED WHAT HE CALLS HOLLOW PROTESTS
THAT THE SAUDI FINANCIER IS MISSING OR HAS FLED THE COUNTRY.
// INDERFURTH ACT //
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE HE HAS LEFT AFGHANISTAN. OUR
EXPERTS AND OTHER INFORMED OBSERVERS BELIEVE HE REMAINS
IN TALEBAN CONTROLLED TERRITORY. THE TALEBAN ARE
PLAYING A RISKY AND UNWISE GAME IN ATTEMPTING TO
CONVINCE US OTHERWISE.
// END ACT //
THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN PURSUING MR. BIN LADEN SINCE THE
BOMBING OF TWO AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN AFRICA, WHICH HIS
ORGANIZATION IS BELIEVED TO HAVE CARRIED OUT. IN RETALIATION,THE
U-S MILITARY FIRED CRUISE MISSILES AT AN ALLEGED TERRORIST
TRAINING CAMP IN AFGHANISTAN LAST AUGUST.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THAT STRIKE, MR. INDERFURTH SAID
IT DISRUPTED MR. BIN LADEN'S OPERATIONS, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED HE IS
STILL A THREAT.
// INDERFURTH ACT //
HE HAS CLEARLY BEEN SINCE THAT TIME MUCH MORE ON THE
MOVE AND ON GUARD WITH RESPECT TO HIS ACTIVITIES. WE
HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ACCOMPLISHING OUR OBJECTIVE
OF SEEING HIM EXPELLED FROM AFGHANISTAN AND BROUGHT TO
JUSTICE.
// END ACT //
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REPEATEDLY WARNED IT MAY ATTACK MR.
BINLADEN'S GROUP AGAIN. FOR THEIR PART, THE TALEBAN HAVE DENIED
RECENT REPORTS OF CLASHES BETWEEN THEIR FORCES AND MR. BINLADEN'S
BODYGUARDS BUT SAY THEY HAVE CUT OFF HIS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE
OUTSIDE WORLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
09-Mar-99 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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