DATE=11/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241237
TITLE=AFGHAN / BIN LADEN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  AFGHANISTAN'S TALEBAN MOVEMENT IS CRITICIZING A 
FIVE-MILLION DOLLAR REWARD BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT FOR THE CAPTURE 
OF SAUDI MILITANT OSAMA BIN LADEN.  AYAZ GUL REPORTS FROM 
ISLAMABAD.

TEXT:  A TALEBAN SPOKESMAN TELLS THE AFGHAN ISLAMIC PRESS (AIP) 
AGENCY THE PATH ADOPTED BY THE UNITED STATES TO FIGHT TERRORISM 
IS NOT PROPER.  THE SPOKESMAN -- WAKIL AHMED -- SAYS THE TALEBAN 
IS READY TO TRY OSAMA BIN LADEN IN ITS ISLAMIC COURTS IF SOLID 
EVIDENCE OF HIS ROLE IN TERRORIST ACTS IS PROVIDED TO THEM. 

MR. AHMED SAYS THE UNITED STATES OFFERED THE REWARD AFTER FAILING
TO PROVIDE THE TALEBAN WITH ANY EVIDENCE.  THE TALEBAN SPOKESMAN 
SAYS MR. BIN LADEN'S INDICTMENT DOES NOT PROVE HE IS GUILTY OF 
THE CRIMES HE IS SAID TO HAVE COMMITTED.  

U-S OFFICIALS FORMALLY CHARGED WEDNESDAY MR. BIN LADEN WITH THE 
AUGUST BOMBINGS OF TWO AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN EAST AFRICA.  THE 
STATE DEPARTMENT HAS OFFERED A FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR REWARD FOR 
INFORMATION LEADING TO BIN LADEN'S ARREST.

THE SAUDI ISLAMIC MILITANT HAS BEEN LIVING IN AFGHANISTAN UNDER 
THE PROTECTION OF THE TALEBAN GROUP.  HE IS SAID TO HAVE DECLARED
A "HOLY WAR" AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.

THE TALEBAN IS SAID TO HAVE TURNED DOWN UNITED STATES REQUESTS TO
EXTRADITE THE SAUDI MILITANT.  

THE UNITED STATES CARRIED OUT MISSILE STRIKES IN AUGUST ON 
SUSPECTED TERRORIST CAMPS IN AFGHANISTAN, KILLING AT LEAST 26 
PEOPLE.  WASHINGTON SAYS THE CAMPS ARE RUN BY MR. BIN LADEN.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/AG/RAE

05-Nov-98 10:27 AM EST (1527 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.