DATE=8/13/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CHASING BIN LADEN
NUMBER=5-44060
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A year ago, a barrage of cruise missiles hit
targets in Afghanistan and Sudan in response to the
deadly bombing of two U-S embassies in Africa. The
United States has since been trying to finish the job
and bring to justice the alleged terrorist mastermind,
Osama bin Laden. V-O-A's David Swan reports.
TEXT: The exiled Saudi financier has become like the
American gangsters who law enforcement authorities
once called public enemies. His picture appears on
posters, which in large red letters brand him a
murderer, and offer rewards up to five-million dollars
for information leading to his capture. His
organization has been the target of U-S military force
and continuing diplomatic pressure.
So far, these initiatives have failed to bear fruit.
U-S officials have repeatedly warned the bin Laden
network is capable of striking again. Threats of new
attacks have temporarily shut down dozens of American
missions overseas. Some private terrorism experts
believe the group may have acquired weapons of mass
destruction. Still, the administration's effort draws
supportive reviews from at least one key lawmaker, who
rarely hestitates to criticize the White House on
other matters.
// HATCH ACT //
We've kept him in check. We've kept him in
check geographically. We're putting a lot of
pressure on all over the world. I won't go into
the classified information but this
administration's doing a pretty good job.
// END ACT //
Republican Senator Orrin Hatch is chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the
Intelligence committee.
// HATCH ACT //
We know where he is. We know what his
activities are. And we've just got to stay ever
alert because he does have the finances, he does
have some support around the world that
literally could cause him to penetrate our
country as well as others.
// END ACT //
In a recent appearance on the C-B-S News program "Face
the Nation," Mr. Hatch said the administration is
holding its own against Mr. bin Laden, and in the end
will prevail.
// HATCH ACT //
Ultimately we're going to make an example of a
person who literally is causing death all over
the world or at least trying to cause death all
over the world.
// END ACT //
The campaign against Mr. bin Laden has been
controversial from the start. Some critics believed
the cruise missile attack was meant to divert
attention from last year's White House sex scandal.
There have since been questions about whether one of
the targets, a pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, was
part of the terrorist organization at all.
However, U-S officials do not rule out further
military action. Testifying before Congress earlier
this year, Assistant Secretary of State Karl
Inderfurth said the first strike last year achieved at
least some results.
// 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 //
It is far from clear just how, or if, that goal will
be achieved. This past week (Monday) the White House
denied reports that U-S commandos were in Pakistan,
preparing for a raid across the Afghan border.
(Signed)
NEB/DS/JO
13-Aug-1999 15:57 PM EDT (13-Aug-1999 1957 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
