DATE=7/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN - BIN LADEN (L UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-252348
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Saudi -born Islamic militant Osama bin Laden 
has reportedly decided to leave Afghanistan because of 
fears of expected attacks from the United States.  But 
Mr. bin Laden's followers in the war-torn country and 
in neighboring Pakistan are threatening to target 
American nationals in the event of a fresh U-S attack 
on Afghanistan.  Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT:        //OPENS WITH  CROWD CHANTING//

Hundreds of supporters of Saudi dissident Osama bin 
Laden chanted anti-American slogans Friday at a rally 
in the Pakistani capital against what they say are 
plans by the United States to launch an attack on 
neighboring Afghanistan.

Several speakers at the rally, staged by Pakistan's 
second largest Islamic party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, 
threatened to go to war against Americans if Mr. bin 
Laden is attacked.

            // REHMAN  IN URDU,FADE UNDER //

The leader of the party, Fazlur Rehman, told the 
demonstrators that neither the U-S ambassador nor 
American diplomats in Pakistan will be safe in the 
event of a U-S attack on Afghanistan.

In addition to the rally in Islamabad, thousands of 
people took part in similar anti-U-S rallies in the 
Taleban-controlled Afghan towns of Khost and 
Jalalabad.  The protesters in those towns reportedly 
vowed to protect bin Laden from any U-S aggression.

The demonstrations come after much speculation in the 
region that the United States may launch another 
attack on Mr. bin Laden.  The Pakistan-based Afghan 
Islamic Press reported on Friday that the Saudi 
militant has decided to leave Afghanistan before such 
an attack is carried out.

Mr. bin Laden is quoted in the A-I-P report as saying 
he has decided to seek sanctuary in another Islamic 
country -- which he did  not  name -- to prevent more 
suffering by the Afghan people because of his presence 
in their country.

The United States accuses Mr. bin Laden of 
masterminding last year's bombings of two U-S 
embassies in Africa in which more than two-hundred 
people died.  Shortly after the bombings, Washington 
launched cruise-missile attacks at suspected training 
camps in Afghanistan run by the Saudi militant.

The United States has put Osama bin Laden on its list 
of most-wanted criminals for, Washington says, 
ordering the embassy bombings.  Washington is also 
offering five million dollars for information leading 
to Mr. Bin Laden's capture. 

Afghanistan's dominant Taleban faction has resisted U-S 
pressure to extradite Mr. bin Laden to the United 
States, saying he is a guest in the country.  In 
retaliation, President Clinton has imposed economic 
sanctions against the hard-line Islamic movement, 
which controls most of the country. (Signed)

NEB/AG/KL



30-Jul-1999 15:25 PM LOC (30-Jul-1999 1925 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.