Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/2/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PAK ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT(L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-317973

BYLINE=MICHAEL KITCHEN

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Pakistan Nears Breakthrough in Suicide Assassination Attempt

INTRO: Pakistan's information minister says police are close to discovering who was behind last week's failed assassination attempt on the country's prime minister-designate. VOA's Michael Kitchen reports on the investigation into the suicide bombing, which killed nine people, including the bomber.

TEXT: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says investigators have uncovered promising leads about the identity of the attackers.

/// AHMED ACT ///

"We have arrested a few people for questioning, and I think, within 72 hours, maybe something positive will come out."

/// END ACT ///

He says the investigation involves identifying the suicide bomber, some of whose remains and clothing were reportedly recovered.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, who has been named to serve as Pakistan's next prime minister, was returning from a political rally south of Islamabad on Friday when the suicide bomber tried to kill him.

The bombing was caught on videotape, and Mr. Ahmed says police are gathering clues from the footage.

A group calling itself the Islambouli Brigades of al-Qaida posted an Internet message Saturday claiming responsibility for the bombing.

Mr. Ahmed says authorities are not sure whether to believe the claim.

/// AHMED ACT 2 ///

"Islambouli is a new organization. . It's early to say about any confirmation."

/// END ACT ///

The group is apparently named for Lieutenant Khalid al-Islambouli, an Egyptian military officer who led the 1981 assassination of then Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat.

Local reports Monday said among those detained for questioning were members of an outlawed extremist Sunni Muslim group whose leader was shot dead in Islamabad last year.

Mr. Ahmed refused to confirm any connection to the Pakistani group.

He also denied speculation that members of the Pakistani military were being questioned.

Pakistan is offering a reward of more than 17-thousand dollars for information about those behind the bombing. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/MK/MH