Military

DATE=09/18/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-280676

TITLE=TALEBAN /U-S ATTACKS (L)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: A meeting of Taleban Islamic clerics from across Afghanistan to decide the fate of "guest" Osama bin Laden has been postponed for at least one day because a large number of participants could not reach Kabul, Tuesday. President Bush said Monday terrorists are "wanted, dead or alive" by the United States for terror attacks on its cities. From neighboring Pakistan, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT: A Pakistan-based Afghan news agency (Afghan Isalmic Press) says

the meeting of Islamic clerics from across Afghanistan will be held

Wednesday, to formulate a response to what officials in Kabul say are threats of an

assault on their country for terror attacks against U-S cities.

The agency quotes a Taleban spokesman as saying the council of nearly

one-thousand Afghan scholars is expected to make a final decision about

whether to hand over Osama bin Laden to the United States or to a

third, neutral country.

Meanwhile, a diplomatic mission from neighboring Pakistan is in Kabul to

try to persuade the Taleban to surrender the Saudi fugitive for his role

in the terror attacks. A Taleban official says the delegation held

"positive" talks with authorities, Tuesday. He says a final decision

will be taken on all issues by the council of clerics. He refused to

give further details.

The head of Pakistan's main intelligence agency -- General Mahmood

Ahmed -- is heading the delegation. The team spent Monday meeting

Taleban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in his southern stronghold, Kandahar, telling him that -- unless he surrenders Osama Bin Laden -- he risks a devastating

U-S retaliation for terror attacks on New York.

Pakistan has agreed to fully cooperate with Washington in case it

decides to attack targets in Afghanistan. A U-S delegation is expected in

Islamabad to discuss details of the cooperation deal. The Taleban has threatened

it will attack any country that will help an American attack against Afghanistan.

Pakistan is also under pressure from hard-line Islamic groups in the

country, which have warned the government against helping the Unite States.

Taleban leaders have urged Afghans to prepare for a "holy war," or

"jihad," in case of an attack on the country. But they say the authority to

declare the war rests with the council of Islamic clerics. The Taleban says Osama bin Laden is innocent of terrorism charges. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG / WD