DATE=7/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252095
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN / TALEBAN / U-S / L-O
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AFGHANISTAN'S TALEBAN MOVEMENT HAS EXPRESSED ITS
READINESS TO HOLD TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES TO SETTLE
DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE STRAINED THE TALEBAN'S TIES WITH
WASHINGTON. FROM ISLAMABAD, AYAZ GUL HAS THE STORY.
TEXT: THE PAKISTAN-BASED AFGHAN ISLAMIC PRESS SAYS THE PROPOSAL
FOR THE TALEBAN TO TALK WITH THE U-S GOVERNMENT WAS PUT FORWARD
BY THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN.
A-I-P SAYS THE ENVOY -- LAKHDAR BRAHIMI -- MADE THE SUGGESTION
DURING TALKS WITH TALEBAN OFFICIALS FRIDAY IN THE AFGHAN CAPITAL,
KABUL.
A TALEBAN OFFICIAL (AMIR KHAN MUTTAQI) IS QUOTED AS SAYING NO
AGENDA HAS BEEN FIXED FOR THE TALKS, BUT HE SAYS THE TALEBAN
WANTS TO RESOLVE ALL ISSUES WITH THE UNITED STATES.
THE TALEBAN HAS RESISTED U-S PRESSURE TO EXTRADITE SAUDI
DISSIDENT AND ALLEGED TERRORIST OSAMA BIN LADEN, WHO LIVES IN
AFGHANISTAN. THE UNITED STATES SAYS HE WAS BEHIND LAST YEAR'S
BOMBINGS OF TWO U-S EMBASSIES IN AFRICA THAT KILLED HUNDREDS OF
PEOPLE AND WOUNDED THOUSANDS.
WASHINGTON HAS PUT OSAMA BIN LADEN ON THE F-B-I'S
TEN-MOST-WANTED LIST FOR ORDERING THE ATTACKS. MR. BIN LADEN
DENIES THE ACCUSATIONS.
THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING A REWARD OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS
FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE SAUDI
EXILE.
PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS IMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE
TALEBAN -- WHICH CONTROLS MOST OF AFGHANISTAN -- FOR ITS SUPPORT
OF MR BIN LADEN. (SIGNED)
NEB / AG / WD / WD
24-Jul-99 7:33 AM EDT (1133 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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