DATE=12/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JORDAN / TERROR ARRESTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257192
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S officials say more than a dozen people
suspected of planning terrorist attacks on Americans
have been arrested in Jordan. A White House official
says those in custody are accused of being part of a
group that sparked a world-wide warning to U-S
citizens, about possible attacks during millennium
celebrations and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
V-O-A's Jim Randle reports.
TEXT: The suspects are mostly Jordanians, but also
include an Iraqi and an Algerian.
White House press spokesman Joe Lockhart says the
suspects may be linked to the organization blamed for
blowing up two U-S embassies in Africa, and bombing
the World Trade Center in New York. The terrorist
network is led by exiled Saudi Osama bin Laden.
/// 1st LOCKHART ACT ///
We certainly believe that they were members of
[Mr.] Bin Laden's organization, [and] that posed
a threat to Americans.
/// END ACT ///
It the first time Washington has said where the
accused terrorists were taken into custody.
Mr. Lockhart says the arrests do not mean the risk
of terrorist attack is over.
/// 2nd LOCKHART ACT ///
We are following closely all threats, and
continue to be vigilant.
/// END ACT ///
Jordanian officials say the suspected members of the
Bin Laden organization were arrested as they arrived
from Afghanistan, where they allegedly had received
military training.
Afghanistan is where exiled Saudi Osama bin Laden is
hiding under the protection of the ruling Taleban
faction.
The State Department warned U-S citizens Saturday that
it had credible information that terrorists were
planning attacks in the near future. (Signed)
NEB/JR/WTW
15-Dec-1999 17:29 PM EDT (15-Dec-1999 2229 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
