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DATE=2/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN PLANE / TALEBAN (L)
NUMBER=2-258898
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The supreme leader of the Taleban in 
Afghanistan says an opposition military leader is 
responsible for the hijacking Sunday of an Afghan 
Airlines plane.  The Taleban leader also says his 
government will never negotiate with the hijackers and 
will not consider any demands they make.  
Correspondent Jim Teeple reports Taleban officials 
also say it is up to Britain to end the hijacking. 
TEXT:  In his first official comment on the hijacking, 
Taleban Supreme Leader Mullah Mohammed Omar blames the 
military commander of the opposition Northern Alliance 
- Amad Shah Masood - for the incident.  
Mullah Omar's statement issued by the Taleban 
Ambassador in Islamabad, rules out negotiation with 
the hijackers or consideration of their demands.  
Speaking through a translator the Taleban Ambassador, 
Sayed Mohammed Haqqani, says giving in to the 
hijackers would lead to more terrorism. 
            // PASHTO ACT W/TRANSLATION //
      .There is negotiation and policy.  Our policy is 
      such that we do not want to negotiate with the 
      hijackers and we do not want to accept any of 
      their terms.  This is the policy of Afghanistan 
      and it is very straightforward.  Because if we 
      accept their demands this will open the way for 
      future hijackings
            // END ACT //
Mr. Haqqani says Taleban officials in London are in 
contact with British authorities.  He says it will be 
up to British authorities to decide what to do about 
the hijacking. 
Northern Alliance officials have said they are not 
involved in the hijacking.  
Taleban forces control about 90-percent of 
Afghanistan, but face stiff opposition from the 
Northern Alliance that controls northern areas 
bordering on Uzbekistan.
            // REST OPT //
In December Taleban authorities criticized Indian 
officials for at first refusing to talk with Kashmiri 
separatists who hijacked an Indian Airlines plane to 
Kandahar in Afghanistan.
But Taleban Ambassador Haqqani rejected any comparison 
between the two hijackings.  He said Taleban 
authorities acted simply as a go-between and only 
urged India to negotiate after receiving a request 
from the hijackers to open talks with Indian 
officials.   (SIGNED) 
NEB/JLT/RAE 
07-Feb-2000 08:00 AM EDT (07-Feb-2000 1300 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.