DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK - AFGHAN TERRORISM (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258692
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior leader of Afghanistan's Taleban
Islamic movement has reiterated his group's opposition
to the expulsion of alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden
from the country. Mr. bin Laden, a Saudi dissident
living in Afghanistan, is wanted by the United States
on suspicion he was involved in the bombings of two U-
S embassies in Africa. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul
reports.
TEXT: The deputy Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammed
Rabbani, has dismissed allegations the Taleban is
harboring terrorists in Afghanistan. After a two-day
visit to neighboring Pakistan, he told a news
conference in Islamabad his group condemns terrorism
as un-Islamic.
/// FIRST RABBANI ACT WITH TRANSLATION ///
We condemn all kinds of terrorism. We are not
backing any type of terrorism by anyone against
any country. Terrorism is an act against Islam.
It's not accepted by Islamic principles.
Therefore, we would not allow terrorist
activities to be performed in our country.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Rabbani says Afghanistan will not accede to what
he calls undue demands of the United States to expel
Mr. bin Laden. He says the Taleban has restricted his
activities and denied him access to communications.
/// SECOND RABBANI ACT WITH TRANSLATION ///
Afghanistan is a free Islamic state and Osama is
our guest in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
As far as we are concerned all the activities of
bin Laden are banned in Afghanistan.
/// END ACT ///
The United States accuses Mr. bin Laden of
masterminding the 1998 bombings of its embassies in
Tanzania and Kenya that killed more than 200 people.
The United Nations has imposed sanctions against the
Taleban for refusing to extradite Mr. bin Laden to
stand trial for the attacks. (Signed)
NEB/AG/gm
01-Feb-2000 12:56 PM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1756 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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