DATE=11/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EGYPT / CRASH REACT (L)
NUMBER=2-255699
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: THE FIRST FLIGHT IS DUE TO LEAVE CAIRO
AROUND 0000 UTC, OR 7 P-M WASHINGTON TIME. WATCH
FOR UPDATES TO THE INTRO ///
INTRO: In Egypt, grieving relatives of some of the
217 people killed in Sunday's crash of Egypt Air
flight 990 are preparing to leave (EDS: have left) for
the United States to help identify the bodies. They
will be accompanied by a group of Egyptian officials
who are to participate in the investigation. V-O-A
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Cairo there is a
somber mood in the country, although life for most
continues normally.
TEXT: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (Monday) sent
condolences to those who lost loved ones in the crash
and told the nation he was shocked and saddened by the
tragedy.
In an interview broadcast on Egyptian television, he
said he did not believe the accident was due to any
criminal act.
/// MUBARAK ACT ///
We are waiting until the investigation can come
to an end. I cannot just invent a reason. We
will wait and see. But, I could tell you that I
have no thinking that it is sabotage or anything
like that, because they have very strict
inspections in New York.
/// END ACT ///
// Opt /// Officials at Cairo's international airport
Monday closed the crisis center, carrying away trash
bags full of paper cups, food wrappers and cigarette
butts. /// End opt ///
The airport's terminal saw scenes of intense emotion
and grief Sunday, as family members learned about the
crash.
Egypt Air officials say they are sending about 100
family members to the United States to help identify
victims. Diplomats at the U-S Embassy here said they
have issued 75 visas so far.
Although no official period of mourning has been
declared, religious leaders say there will be special
prayers throughout Egypt for the victims and their
families in mosques Friday and churches on Sunday.
/// REST OPT ///
Egypt Air flight 990 disappeared from radar screens
shortly after taking off from New York City early
Sunday morning.
Rescue teams have found documents from the plane in a
debris field 100 kilometers off the coast of the
northeastern state of Massachusetts. Air traffic
officials say the plane fell thousands of meters in
seconds, indicating it was probably downed by what
they call a massive mechanical failure.
Eighty Egyptians and more than 100 Americans were on
board, including two large groups of tourists on
vacation. Other passengers included citizens of Syria,
Sudan, Chile and Canada.
Egypt's national air carrier is one of the oldest
airlines in the Middle East. It experienced a number
of accidents in the 1960s and 1970s, but had a good
safety record over the past 20 years. Egyptian
officials are worried this disaster will hurt tourism,
which is just beginning to recover from a series of
terrorist attacks a few years ago. Tourism is one of
the country's top foreign exchange earners.
Despite the loss, life goes on here. People went to
work and school normally today and the first Egypt Air
flight from New York City since the tragedy arrived in
Cairo on schedule. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/LTD/JO
01-Nov-1999 11:41 AM EDT (01-Nov-1999 1641 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
