DATE=5/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN / BIN LADEN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262183
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban movement has again denied
charges by the United States that it is harboring
terrorists in Afghanistan. As Correspondent Scott
Anger reports, a spokesman for the Taleban says
international recognition of the hard-line Islamic
movement will help resolve a number of issues it has
with the United States, including the stalemate over
accused terrorist Osama bin Laden.
TEXT: Relations between the Taleban and the world
community have been at odds because the hard-line
Islamic group refuses to hand over suspected terrorist
Osama bin Laden for trial. Mr. bin Laden is wanted by
the United States for his role in the 1998 bombings of
two U-S embassies in Africa.
The issue has blocked the Taleban efforts to win
international recognition for its rule of 90-percent
of Afghanistan. Only three countries, Pakistan, Saudi
Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, have recognized the
group as the legitimate rulers of the country. The
United Nations recognizes the government the Taleban
ousted from power in 1996.
Taleban spokesman Abdul Hakim Mujahid says
international recognition for the hard-line movement
in Afghanistan, is key to solving differences it has
with the world community on issues such as human
rights and terrorism. He says if the Taleban is
recognized, it would be bound by the U-N charter and
would have a responsibility not to support terrorism.
/// MUJAHID ACT ///
I think a good solution for all of the problems in
Afghanistan, with the world community, is for the
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan be recognized. If this
government is recognized by the world community and
put in the charter of the United Nations, it will be
easy to solve all the problems, including the problem
of Osama bin Laden.
/// END ACT ///
The Taleban denies supporting terrorism and reject U-S
allegations that it is harboring terrorists. It says
the United States has failed to provide sufficient
evidence of Mr. bin Laden's involvement in the Africa
bombings. The Taleban says the Saudi dissident is a
guest and therefore - according to Afghan traditions -
cannot be expelled.
In addition, international human-rights groups have
been critical of the strict laws the Taleban has
imposed in the areas of the country under its control.
Laws bar women from working outside the home and
restrict girls from attending schools. Taleban rules
have also forced women to follow the Afghan tradition
of wearing a head-to-toe covering called a burqa. Men
have been forced to grow and maintain beards.
The Taleban say the strict laws are temporary, due to
the ongoing civil war in Afghanistan. It says once
the war ends and the security situation improves, the
harsh restrictions against women will be lifted.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA/LTD/RAE
10-May-2000 09:02 AM EDT (10-May-2000 1302 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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