Military

DATE=1/24/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER= 2-285620

TITLE= PAK/FBI/TERRORISM (L-O)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The director of the U-S Federal Bureau of Investigation says he

is unsure if anyone knows whether al-Qaida leader Osama bin

Laden is dead or alive. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT: FBI director, Robert Mueller, is in Pakistan discussing the U-S led

anti-terrorism war in neighboring Afghanistan. Speaking to reporters in

Islamabad, Mr. Mueller said his discussions with Pakistani leaders

focused on efforts to prevent new terrorist attacks. He praised them for

"aggressively" finding and detaining members of Osama bin Laden's

alleged terrorist network, al-Qaida. But the FBI director says he is unsure if

anyone knows whether Mr. Bin Laden is dead or alive.

//MUELLER ACT//

I think there's some ideas or some discussions as to whether or not he

has survived either the bombing or his medical condition. I am not certain

that anybody knows for sure either where Osama bin Laden is, or as to whether

he is still alive.

//END ACT//

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said in an interview last week that

the Saudi-born terror mastermind had a kidney ailment. In his words, Mr. Bin

Laden may have died if he was unable to get dialysis treatment during

the U-S air strikes in Afghanistan.

FBI Director Mueller says he is unaware whether members of al-Qaida have

begun fleeing in large numbers through Afghanistan's western border with

Iran.

//MUELLER ACT//

I think we are worried about al-Qaida operatives bleeding through Iran

and to the extent that there can be something done about that. I am sure

that there are others in the American government undertaking discussions with

those who deal with Iran to ensure that that does not happen.

//END ACT//

Reports say that Iran has reinstated visa requirements in recent days to

prevent al-Qaida from using the Iranian territory as an escape route.

Mr. Mueller says that since the terrorist attacks in September, security

at U-S airports has been increased. He says further measures have been

introduced after a British citizen, Richard Reid, allegedly tried to blow

up a passenger plane with a bomb in his shoes.

//MUELLER ACT//

Anybody who goes to our airports in the future will have their shoes

looked at more closely than they have been in the past. My daughter has come

through with shoes that are fairly tall and in the wake of Richard

Reid, had those closely looked at.

//END ACT//

Mr. Mueller says that since the attacks in the United States on September 11, Pakistan has gone further than any country in supporting the war on terrorism. He called the cooperation unprecedented. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/MEM