Military

DATE=12/09/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHENEY/BIN LADEN (L)

NUMBER=2-284070

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The White House says it has further evidence linking Osama bin Laden to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports officials say they have a videotape in which the al-Qaida leader leaves no doubt he was involved in the attacks.

TEXT: Vice-President Dick Cheney says he has seen parts of the videotape. He says Osama bin Laden is shown discussing the events of September 11th in Arabic with a Muslim cleric.

/// CHENEY ACT ///

And it's pretty clear, as it is described to me (by the translators), that he does in fact display significant knowledge of what happened, and there is no doubt about his responsibility for the attack on September 11th.

/// END ACT ///

/// OPT /// The Bush administration has said for some time that Osama bin Laden is the prime suspect in the attacks. Vice-President Cheney says the tape provides more proof.

/// CHENEY ACT TWO //OPT ACT ///

This is one more piece of evidence confirming his responsibility.

/// END ACT // END OPT ///

During an appearance on the N-B-C television news program "Meet the Press," Mr. Cheney did not disclose how the tape came into American hands. However, published reports say it was found during the search of a private home in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The White House has refused in the past to make its strongest evidence against Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida public, saying it could dry up sources of information and damage intelligence gathering. When asked if this new videotape might be the exception to the rule, Vice-President Cheney was non-committal.

/// CHENEY ACT THREE ///

We have not been eager to give the guy any extra television time than he could obtain for himself, but I think we would probably rely on the experts as to whether or not it would be a good idea to release it.

/// END ACT ///

Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz also saw the videotape. He told A-B-C's "This Week" that there is only one word to describe Osama bin Laden's demeanor.

/// WOLFOWITZ ACT ///

Well, I'd say it is disgusting. I mean this is a man who takes pride and pleasure in having killed thousands of innocent human beings.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Wolfowitz said it is very clear on the tape that Osama bin Laden planned the attacks. He said it puts to rest the notion that anyone else could have been responsible. (signed)

NEB/PW/TW