DATE=11/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN SANCTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-256190
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Demonstrations continued for a second day
against U-N sanctions imposed on the Taleban in
Afghanistan, for its failure to hand over suspected
terrorist Osama bin Laden. As correspondent Scott
Anger reports from Kabul, U-N offices have been
attacked throughout the county, causing damage but no
injuries.
TEXT: Angry crowds have attacked U-N offices in most
major cities in Afghanistan, following the imposition
of sanctions designed to force the Taleban to expel
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.
Sunday, the day sanctions began, thousands marched
through Kabul and attacked a U-N office, shattering
windows and destroying computer equipment. At
demonstrations throughout the country, the crowds
chanted anti-U-N and anti-American slogans, condemning
the U-S backed move by the Security Council.
United Nations spokeswoman Stephanie Bunker says the
world body has protested the attacks to the Taleban
and has requested they respect existing security
agreements.
// BUNKER ACT //
We are extremely concerned about the destruction
of U-N properties that have taken place. The
UNHCR office in Farah city of Farah province had
been set on fire. So we are very concerned. So
far our staff are safe, but we are very
concerned about the damage of the U-N property.
Due to the size of the demonstration they
(Taleban authorities) really could not control
the crowd and we also do not think that the
authorities are doing enough to discourage the
demonstrations.
// END ACT //
Despite the criticism from the United Nations, a
spokesman for the hard-line Islamic movement insists
Taleban soldiers have done enough for security -- and
says the United Nations should continue its work
without any concern.
The U-N says as long as security of its personnel
remains adequate, humanitarian aid will not be
affected.
The U-N sanctions freeze the Taleban's overseas assets
and ground Afghanistan's national airline, Ariana.
The move is in response to the Taleban's failure to
hand over Osama bin Laden for trial in connection with
the bombings of two U-S Embassies last year in Africa.
The Saudi exile, who is living in Afghanistan under
the protection of the Taleban, has denied any link to
the embassy attacks. The Taleban say no one,
including the United States, has produced enough
evidence against him to support a trial.
Meanwhile, the United Nations says its coordinator for
Afghanistan will travel to Kabul soon to request that
Taleban leaders cooperate with U-N and other aid
agencies working in the poor nation. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/
15-Nov-1999 13:26 PM EDT (15-Nov-1999 1826 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
