DATE=7/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN - BIN LADEN (L UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-252348
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Saudi -born Islamic militant Osama bin Laden
has reportedly decided to leave Afghanistan because of
fears of expected attacks from the United States. But
Mr. bin Laden's followers in the war-torn country and
in neighboring Pakistan are threatening to target
American nationals in the event of a fresh U-S attack
on Afghanistan. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.
TEXT: //OPENS WITH CROWD CHANTING//
Hundreds of supporters of Saudi dissident Osama bin
Laden chanted anti-American slogans Friday at a rally
in the Pakistani capital against what they say are
plans by the United States to launch an attack on
neighboring Afghanistan.
Several speakers at the rally, staged by Pakistan's
second largest Islamic party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam,
threatened to go to war against Americans if Mr. bin
Laden is attacked.
// REHMAN IN URDU,FADE UNDER //
The leader of the party, Fazlur Rehman, told the
demonstrators that neither the U-S ambassador nor
American diplomats in Pakistan will be safe in the
event of a U-S attack on Afghanistan.
In addition to the rally in Islamabad, thousands of
people took part in similar anti-U-S rallies in the
Taleban-controlled Afghan towns of Khost and
Jalalabad. The protesters in those towns reportedly
vowed to protect bin Laden from any U-S aggression.
The demonstrations come after much speculation in the
region that the United States may launch another
attack on Mr. bin Laden. The Pakistan-based Afghan
Islamic Press reported on Friday that the Saudi
militant has decided to leave Afghanistan before such
an attack is carried out.
Mr. bin Laden is quoted in the A-I-P report as saying
he has decided to seek sanctuary in another Islamic
country -- which he did not name -- to prevent more
suffering by the Afghan people because of his presence
in their country.
The United States accuses Mr. bin Laden of
masterminding last year's bombings of two U-S
embassies in Africa in which more than two-hundred
people died. Shortly after the bombings, Washington
launched cruise-missile attacks at suspected training
camps in Afghanistan run by the Saudi militant.
The United States has put Osama bin Laden on its list
of most-wanted criminals for, Washington says,
ordering the embassy bombings. Washington is also
offering five million dollars for information leading
to Mr. Bin Laden's capture.
Afghanistan's dominant Taleban faction has resisted U-S
pressure to extradite Mr. bin Laden to the United
States, saying he is a guest in the country. In
retaliation, President Clinton has imposed economic
sanctions against the hard-line Islamic movement,
which controls most of the country. (Signed)
NEB/AG/KL
30-Jul-1999 15:25 PM LOC (30-Jul-1999 1925 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
