DATE=7/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251630
TITLE=AFGHAN BIN LADEN (L-ONLY)CQ
BYLINE=SARAH HORNER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  AFGHANISTAN'S TALEBAN MOVEMENT HAS SAID IT WILL  NOT  
EXTRADITE SAUDI DISSIDENT AND ALLEGED TERRORIST OSAMA BIN LADEN. 
AS SARAH HORNER REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD, IT IS THE FIRST ADMISSION
BY THE TALEBAN THAT MR BIN LADEN IS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER 
HIS REPORTED DISAPPEARANCE FIVE MONTHS AGO.

TEXT:  THE TALEBAN'S CHIEF SPOKESMAN AHMAD MUTTAWAKIL TOLD 
REPORTERS IN KABUL (SATURDAY) THAT THE TALEBAN HAS NO EXTRADITION
AGREEMENTS WITH ANY COUNTRY.

IN ADDITION, MR MUTTAWAKIL SAID THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED 
NO PROOF THAT OSAMA BIN LADEN IS INVOLVED IN TERRORISM.

THE STATEMENT COMES SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE U-S IMPOSED FINANCIAL 
AND COMMERCIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TALEBAN IN RETALIATION FOR 
ITS ALLEGED SUPPORT OF THE SAUDI DISSIDENT.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID MR BIN LADEN AND HIS NETWORK ARE 
CONTINUING TO PLAN ATTACKS AGAINST AMERICANS.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT ACCUSES HIM OF ORDERING THE BOMBINGS THAT 
KILLED MORE THAN 250-PEOPLE LAST AUGUST AT AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN 
KENYA AND TANZANIA.  TWO WEEKS AFTER THE BOMBINGS, THE UNITED 
STATES CARRIED OUT MISSILE STRIKES ON SUSPECTED TERRORIST 
TRAINING CAMPS RUN BY MR BIN LADEN IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE UNITED STATES HAS ALSO PUT OSAMA BIN LADEN ON A TOP 10 MOST 
WANTED LIST AND OFFERED A FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR REWARD FOR 
INFORMATION LEADING TO HIS ARREST AND CONVICTION.

MR BIN LADEN HAS DENIED INVOLVEMENT IN THE AFRICAN BOMBINGS, BUT 
HAS CALLED FOR ATTACKS ON WESTERN TARGETS.

THE TALEBAN'S CHIEF SPOKESMAN HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT MR BIN 
LADEN IS STILL LIVING IN AFGHANISTAN.   LAST FEBRUARY THE TALEBAN
ANNOUNCED HE HAD DISAPPEARED.  THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME SHORTLY 
AFTER PRESSURE WAS PUT ON THE TALEBAN BY BRITAIN AND THE UNITED 
STATES TO EXTRADITE HIM.

MR MUTTAWAKIL SAYS MR BIN LADEN IS IN AFGHANISTAN WITH A SPECIAL 
GUARD BUT THE TALEBAN DOES NOT KNOW HIS PRECISE LOCATION. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/SLH/PLM

11-Jul-99 6:26 AM EDT (1026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.