DATE=8/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/AFGHAN SANCTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-252662
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration has frozen U-S
assets belonging to the Afghan national airline
"Ariana" -- under sanctions aimed at punishing
Afghanistan's dominant Taleban movement for harboring
alleged international terrorist Osama Bin Laden. VOA's
David Gollust reports from the White House.
Text: The Afghan airline does not fly in and out of
the United States and only about a half-million
dollars in its assets have been affected by the freeze
thus far. But the sanctions also bar U-S citizens and
companies including aviation firms from dealing with
"Ariana." And David Leavy, spokesman for the White
House National Security Council, says the move
underlines the Administration message to the Taleban
that its support for the Bin Laden network will not be
tolerated:
///Leavy Actuality///
It's really an important signal to send that we
will not allow the infrastructure of these
terrorist networks to operate unabated. We will
take action when we have identified businesses or
persons who are affiliated with Bin Laden or
supporting his network. We will act.
///End act///
The action against "Ariana" is an extension of
economic sanctions President Clinton imposed against
the Taleban in July for giving refuge to Mr. Bin
Laden, whom the Administration holds responsible for
last year's bombings of the U-S embassies in Kenya and
Tanzania -- which killed more than 200 people.
As the only international carrier serving Afghanistan,
"Ariana" is believed here to be involved in ferrying
material, personnel and finances to the Taleban, which
controls Kabul and much of the country. "Ariana"
conducts flights to India and the United Arab Emirates
and Mr. Leavy says U-S officials will try to persuade
those countries to impose similar sanctions against
it.
The spokesman also said the U-S Treasury Department is
reviewing reports that a number of banks, companies,
and individuals in the Middle East and elsewhere are
acting on behalf of Mr. Bin Laden in providing
material and financial support for his organization.
Without naming those allegedly involved, Mr. Leavy
says if they do not cease such activity, they will
face the same sanctions the Administration has imposed
against the Afghan airline. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/JO
10-Aug-1999 16:57 PM EDT (10-Aug-1999 2057 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
