DATE=10/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TALEBAN / BIN LADEN / L
NUMBER=2-255105
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban movement has rejected a
United Nations demand to hand over suspected terrorist
Osama bin Laden for trial. As Correspondent Scott
Anger reports, the Taleban have proposed a group of
Islamic scholars give them advice on a solution.
TEXT: A spokesman for the office of Taleban Supreme
Leader Mullah Mohammed Omar told the Pakistan-based
Afghan Islamic Press, Osama bin Laden is an Islamic
issue. The Taleban say the only way to resolve the
situation is through a unanimous decision by Islamic
scholars from three countries -- Afghanistan, Saudi
Arabia and a third country.
Mr. bin Laden is wanted by the United States for
masterminding the bombings of two U-S embassies in
Africa, which killed more than 220 people in August
1998.
Taleban leaders say they want proof of Mr. bin Laden's
involvement in the bombings before turning him over.
They consider him a guest in Afghanistan and --
according to Afghan tradition -- he must be sheltered
and protected.
Friday, the United Nations agreed to issue limited
sanctions against Afghanistan if the suspected
terrorist is not handed over to either the United
States or another country with jurisdiction in the
embassy bombings by November 14th.
The Taleban says the U-N resolution is unjust and a
cruel decision made under pressure from the United
States. The United States has indicted Mr. bin Laden
for the Africa bombings and has sought to impose
immediate sanctions on the Taleban. But U-S officials
say they agree to a one-month grace period to ensure
unanimous support for the U-N resolution.
In August, the United States froze the U-S bank
accounts of Afghanistan's national airline, Ariana and
stopped all trade and investments with Afghanistan.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA / wd
16-Oct-1999 05:03 AM EDT (16-Oct-1999 0903 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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