DATE=8/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237679
TITLE=ABU NIDAL ARREST (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST WANTED TERRORISTS IS REPORTED TO 
BE IN CUSTODY IN EGYPT.  ABU NIDAL WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SCORES OF 
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE 1970'S AND
'80'S.  CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT
AND ABU NIDAL'S GROUP BOTH DENY HE IS IN JAIL.

TEXT:  ABU NIDAL IS ACCUSED OF ORCHESTRATING ATTACKS IN 20 
COUNTRIES THAT LEFT 900 PEOPLE DEAD.  

STORIES IN SEVERAL PROMINENT U-S NEWSPAPERS CITE U-S AND ARAB 
OFFICIALS WHO SAY THAT ABU NIDAL WAS ARRESTED BY EGYPT ONE-MONTH 
AGO.  SOME OF THE STORIES SAY ABU NIDAL, WHOSE REAL NAME IS SABRI
AL BANNA, IS SERIOUSLY ILL AND WAS SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT NOT 
AVAILABLE TO HIM IN LIBYA.

REPORTS OF HIS ARREST FIRST SURFACED LAST WEEK IN ARABIC LANGUAGE
NEWSPAPERS IN LONDON.  IN BEIRUT, ABU NIDAL'S GROUP, THE FATAH 
REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL, SAYS HE IS NEITHER ILL NOR UNDER ARREST.

THE GROUP SPLIT FROM THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION IN 
1974.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/RAE

26-Aug-98 7:08 AM EDT (1108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.