DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KASHMIRI GROUP (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254904
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A militant Islamic group whose activists are
fighting in Kashmir and Afghanistan has condemned a U-S
declaration calling it a terrorist group. As
Correspondent Scott Anger reports from Islamabad, the
Pakistan-based group is one of 22 the United States
has put on its list of international terrorist
organizations.
TEXT: Soldiers with the Harkat ul-Mujahideen group
are fighting in the disputed region of Kashmir and
along side the Taleban, who are battling opposition
forces for control of Afghanistan.
Harkat ul-Mujahideen leader, Fazal-ur-Rehman Khalil,
denies the U-S charge. He told a crowded news
conference (Tuesday) in Islamabad, the U-S action is
not going to affect the group's activities.
/// URDU ACT, FADE UNDER ///
Mr. Khalil says if the United States fails to present
solid evidence against the group within the next 48-
hours, they will ask an international court to condemn
the U-S action.
The Harkat ul-Mujahideen mainly operates from
Pakistan, as do several other separatist organizations
fighting to take control of the part of Kashmir under
Indian rule.
Kashmir has been the source of two-wars between
Pakistan and India in the past 50-years. India blames
Pakistan for providing military training to the
insurgents fighting against Indian forces in the two-
thirds of Kashmir it controls. Pakistan controls the
rest of Kashmir and denies the Indian charge.
Last week, the United States issued a list of
organizations around the world it says are promoting
terrorism. Harkat ul-Mujahideen is the second
Pakistan-based group the United States has declared a
terrorist organization. The Pakistani government
forced the other group to close its offices.
Harkat ul-Mujahideen's leader says it will resist
pressure from the Pakistani government to shut down
its offices in Pakistan. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
12-Oct-1999 08:32 AM EDT (12-Oct-1999 1232 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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