DATE=2/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN ARRESTS (L)
NUMBER=2-258974
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban authorities have
detained several people suspected of involvement in
Sunday's hijacking of an Afghan airlines plane to
London. As V-O-A'S Jim Teeple reports from Islamabad,
there is growing speculation the motive for the
hijacking might be a desire by a large family group to
defect from Afghanistan.
TEXT: Kabul Airport officials say they suspect women
passengers may have smuggled weapons onboard the
plane. Women are subjected to less stringent security
checks at Kabul's airport where men perform most
searches. Women in Afghanistan are required to wear
an all-covering burqaa, or veil, under which weapons
could have been concealed.
Officials in Kabul are focusing on airport workers in
their efforts to determine who is responsible for the
hijacking. Several airport workers have reportedly
been questioned.
There is widespread speculation in Kabul that the
motive for the hijacking might be a desire by the
hijackers to defect.
The Afghan Islamic Press, an independent news agency
based in Pakistan, says a steward onboard the plane
who was released in Tashkent, Uzbekistan says there
were about eight hijackers armed with guns and knives.
According to the steward a number of the passengers,
including women and children, appeared to know the
hijackers. The plane's manifest includes the names of
a family of about 35-people who were said to be
traveling to Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan
for a wedding.
Meanwhile, Ariana Airlines officials say they have
been in touch with the plane's pilot and crew, who
escaped from the plane in London by climbing out of
the cockpit window and down a makeshift rope. The
officials say the pilot has told them he and his crew
require minor medical care as a result of their ordeal
and that the hijackers are in a weakened condition.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JT/RAE
09-Feb-2000 07:52 AM EDT (09-Feb-2000 1252 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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