DATE=11/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN ATTACKS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256127
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Authorities in Pakistan have stepped up
security at diplomatic missions in the country after a
series of rocket attacks against U-S and United
Nations offices in the capital. So far, no arrests
have been made in connection with the attacks that
left one person injured. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul
reports.
TEXT: Pakistan has set up a special team of
investigators to find out who was behind Friday's
attacks. Extra police have been stationed at
entrances to Islamabad's diplomatic enclave where
assailants fired rockets at the U-S embassy. Other
rockets exploded near a United Nations office and an
American cultural center, injuring one local Pakistani
guard.
Experts from Pakistan and United States are said to be
examining the rocket launchers that police found in
three vehicles used in the attack.
Pakistani authorities said they would be looking out
for vehicles equipped with darkly tinted glass because
two of the three vehicles used in the rocket attacks
had such windows, making it difficult to see inside.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks,
which came just two days before United Nations
sanctions were going into effect against Afghanistan's
Taleban movement for refusing to turn over terrorism
suspect Osama bin Laden. The leader of the Taleban
movement, Mullah Mohammad Omar, issued a statement
condemning Friday's attacks.
Meanwhile, the Taleban foreign minister, Wakil Ahmad,
has appealed (Saturday) to the United Nations to push
back the deadline for the sanctions so that a solution
to the impasse could be found. But the Taleban
official repeated that his movement would not hand
over Mr. bin Laden to the United States.
Washington-backed U-N sanctions will impose financial
and aviation restrictions if the Taleban allows Mr.
Bin Laden to remain in Afghanistan. The Saudi-born
businessman is wanted in connection with the bombing
attacks on U-S embassies in Africa last year that
killed more than 200 people. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JP
13-Nov-1999 09:10 AM EDT (13-Nov-1999 1410 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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