DATE=8/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN SANCTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-252678
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States has frozen the assets of
Afghanistan's national airline in an attempt to bring
pressure on the Taleban to hand over suspected
terrorist Osama Bin Laden. As Correspondent Scott
Anger reports from Kabul, the leader of the Taleban
movement says it will not bow to increasing American
pressure.
TEXT: Taleban leader Mullah Omar says suspected
terrorist Osama Bin Laden is a guest of Afghanistan,
and in accordance to Islamic tradition he will not be
kicked out or turned over to authorities, despite
pressure from the United States.
The United States has called on the Taleban to hand
over the suspected Saudi terrorist who is reportedly
living somewhere in Afghanistan.
Mr. Bin Laden is wanted by authorities in the United
States on charges of masterminding the bombing of the
U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania one-year ago.
After the bombing, the United States launched a
cruise-missile attack on suspected terrorist training
camps run by Mr. Bin Laden in Afghanistan.
Last month, the United States imposed economic
sanctions against the war-torn country hoping to force
some action against Mr. Bin Laden.
The United States has now frozen the assets of
Afghanistan's national airline Ariana. U-S officials
say the airline is a source of income for Taleban
rulers who are harboring one of America's most wanted
criminals.
Operating since 1955, the airline has seven planes in
its fleet and only flies to three cities outside
Afghanistan -- two in the United Arab Emirates and one
in India. Ariana is the only airline flying in and
out of the South Asian nation.
An airline spokesman in Kabul says the action by the
United States will not seriously affect Ariana or its
12-hundred employees. Because it has only one bank
account in the United States with Citibank of New
York.
Meanwhile, there is growing concern in Afghanistan and
neighboring Pakistan, that the United States may
launch another attack against Mr. Bin Laden.
Newspapers in Pakistan recently reported U-S fighter
planes have landed in advance in a planned attack on
Afghanistan. U-S officials deny the reports.
(Signed)
NEB/SA/LTD/RAE
11-Aug-1999 08:32 AM EDT (11-Aug-1999 1232 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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