DATE=3/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246430
TITLE=SENATE-AFGHANISTAN(L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ISSUED A FRESH WARNING TO 
THE RULING TALEBAN PARTY IN AFGHANISTAN NOT TO HARBOR ACCUSED 
TERRORIST OSAMA BIN LADEN.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL (TUESDAY), ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
OF STATE KARL INDERFURTH REJECTED WHAT HE CALLS HOLLOW PROTESTS 
THAT THE SAUDI FINANCIER IS MISSING OR HAS FLED THE COUNTRY.

                         // INDERFURTH ACT //

         THERE IS NO EVIDENCE HE HAS LEFT AFGHANISTAN.  OUR 
         EXPERTS AND OTHER INFORMED OBSERVERS BELIEVE HE REMAINS 
         IN TALEBAN CONTROLLED TERRITORY.  THE TALEBAN ARE 
         PLAYING A RISKY AND UNWISE GAME IN ATTEMPTING TO 
         CONVINCE US OTHERWISE.   

                           // END ACT //

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN PURSUING MR. BIN LADEN SINCE THE 
BOMBING OF TWO AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN AFRICA, WHICH HIS 
ORGANIZATION IS BELIEVED TO HAVE CARRIED OUT.  IN RETALIATION,THE
U-S MILITARY FIRED CRUISE MISSILES AT AN ALLEGED TERRORIST 
TRAINING CAMP IN AFGHANISTAN LAST AUGUST.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THAT STRIKE, MR. INDERFURTH SAID 
IT DISRUPTED MR. BIN LADEN'S OPERATIONS, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED HE IS 
STILL A THREAT.     

                      // INDERFURTH ACT //

         HE HAS CLEARLY BEEN SINCE THAT TIME MUCH MORE ON THE 
         MOVE AND ON GUARD WITH RESPECT TO HIS ACTIVITIES.  WE 
         HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ACCOMPLISHING OUR OBJECTIVE 
         OF SEEING HIM EXPELLED FROM AFGHANISTAN AND BROUGHT TO 
         JUSTICE.    

                          // END ACT //

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REPEATEDLY WARNED IT MAY ATTACK MR. 
BINLADEN'S GROUP AGAIN.  FOR THEIR PART, THE TALEBAN HAVE DENIED 
RECENT REPORTS OF CLASHES BETWEEN THEIR FORCES AND MR. BINLADEN'S
BODYGUARDS BUT SAY THEY HAVE CUT OFF HIS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE 
OUTSIDE WORLD. (SIGNED)



NEB/DS/PT

09-Mar-99 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.