DATE=11/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / BLASTS (L)
NUMBER=2-256073
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Unidentified attackers fired several rockets
at American and United Nations facilities in
Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, Friday -- setting cars
on fire and injuring at least one person. As V-O-A's
Scott Anger reports, the attacks come two days before
a U-N deadline to impose sanctions on neighboring
Afghanistan for the Taleban's failure to expel
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.
TEXT: No one has claimed responsibility for Friday's
spate of rocket attacks. The first occurred at the U-
S Information Center in the heart of Islamabad's
business district. Other attacks occurred within
minutes of each other, near the U-S Embassy, a
Pakistan government building and two United Nations
buildings in the capital.
Bilal Malik says he was near the U-S Information
Center when the attack occurred, setting fire to a car
parked nearby.
///MALIK ACTUALITY///
Suddenly an explosion happened, the car just
blew away - it just burst from a big explosion.
///END ACTUALITY///
A rocket launcher could be seen inside the burned car
near the building's protective wall. An official at
the center says U-S investigators are on the scene,
looking into the attack, which damaged part of the
building. There are no reports of damage to the U-S
Embassy or the United Nations buildings. Witnesses
say two other cars used in the attacks had similar
rocket launchers mounted inside.
Abdul Rashid says he saw the attack near the United
Nations headquarters, in the heart of the city's
business district.
///RASHID ACTUALITY///
I saw something like a missile going up to the
sky. And suddenly (there was) a very large,
strong sound.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Neither the U-S nor Pakistani authorities have
commented on the attacks. They come two days before
U-N Security Council sanctions go into effect against
Afghanistan's Taleban movement for not surrendering
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. The Saudi
dissident is living somewhere in Afghanistan, under
the Taleban's protection. The imminent sanctions have
already caused protests in Taleban-controlled cities
in Afghanistan.
Taleban leader Mullah Omar has condemned the attacks,
saying it is a conspiracy to increase tension between
Afghanistan, the United Nations and the United States.
Mr. bin Laden is wanted by the United States in
connection with attacks on two U-S embassies in East
Africa, which killed more than 200 people last year.
After the Africa bombings, the United States launched
a cruise missile strike against suspected terrorist
training camps in the southern part of Afghanistan.
Washington has since levied economic sanctions against
the Taleban and has led the U-N Security Council's
move to do the same. (Signed)
NEB/SA/WD/KL
12-Nov-1999 08:44 AM EDT (12-Nov-1999 1344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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