DATE=10/13/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=EDITORIAL: U.S, RUSSIA FIGHT BIN LADIN
NUMBER=0-08484
CONTENT=
THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED
FOR BROADCAST 10/13/99.
Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing
points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next,
an editorial expressing the policies of the United
States Government:
Voice: The United States and Russia are
cooperating in the fight against international
terrorism. With Russia's backing, the U-S
introduced a draft resolution in the United
Nations Security Council that would impose an air
embargo and financial sanctions on Afghanistan
unless it surrenders the international terrorist,
Osama bin Laden. [oo-SAH-mah been Lah-dehn]
Bin Laden is the prime suspect as the organizer of
the August 1998 bombing of the American embassies
in Kenya and Tanzania. That vicious act caused the
deaths of nearly three-hundred people and injured
more than five-thousand others.
Originally from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden has been
implicated in a series of terrorist acts around
the world. He is determined to drive U-S forces
out of Saudi Arabia, where they are stationed at
the invitation of the Saudi government. He has
said it is the duty of every Muslim to kill
Americans and plunder their assets.
After Bin Laden was indicted by a federal grand
jury in New York, the U-S asked the Taliban, which
controls most of Afghanistan, that he be expelled
to a country where he can be brought to justice.
When the Taliban refused, the U-S imposed
sanctions last July. It is an expansion of this
policy which is being pursued, with Russian
support, in the United Nations Security Council.
U-N-supported sanctions can work. After a
painstaking investigation, two Libyan agents were
charged with the terrorist bombing of a Pan
American passenger flight over Lockerbie,
Scotland. When the Libyan government refused to
hand them over, the U-N Security Council imposed
sanctions on Libya. Though the process and the
pressure took years, the Libyan suspects finally
were handed over. Their trial, which will be held
in the Netherlands, is expected to begin soon.
The U-S and Russia are asking for no more than
this in bin Ladin's case. Countries must defend
themselves against terrorism. Groups that refuse
to respect this principle - like the Taleban -
must be isolated. Diplomatic and economic
pressure must be applied. This is the purpose of
the U-S-Russian initiative.
Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the
policies of the United States Government. If you
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A,
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials,
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.
12-Oct-1999 15:31 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 1931 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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