DATE=8/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN SANCTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-252678
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  The United States has frozen the assets of 
Afghanistan's national airline in an attempt to bring 
pressure on the Taleban to hand over suspected 
terrorist Osama Bin Laden.  As Correspondent Scott 
Anger reports from Kabul, the leader of the Taleban 
movement says it will not bow to increasing American 
pressure.   

TEXT:  Taleban leader Mullah Omar says suspected 
terrorist Osama Bin Laden is a guest of Afghanistan, 
and in accordance to Islamic tradition he will not be 
kicked out or turned over to authorities, despite 
pressure from the United States.

The United States has called on the Taleban to hand 
over the suspected Saudi terrorist who is reportedly 
living somewhere in Afghanistan.

Mr. Bin Laden is wanted by authorities in the United 
States on charges of masterminding the bombing of the 
U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania one-year ago.

After the bombing, the United States launched a 
cruise-missile attack on suspected terrorist training 
camps run by Mr. Bin Laden in Afghanistan.

Last month, the United States imposed economic 
sanctions against the war-torn country hoping to force 
some action against Mr. Bin Laden.

The United States has now frozen the assets of 
Afghanistan's national airline Ariana.  U-S officials 
say the airline is a source of income for Taleban 
rulers who are harboring one of America's most wanted 
criminals.

Operating since 1955, the airline has seven planes in 
its fleet and only flies to three cities outside 
Afghanistan -- two in the United Arab Emirates and one 
in India.  Ariana is the only airline flying in and 
out of the South Asian nation.

An airline spokesman in Kabul says the action by the 
United States will not seriously affect Ariana or its 
12-hundred employees.  Because it has only one bank 
account in the United States with Citibank of New 
York.

Meanwhile, there is growing concern in Afghanistan and 
neighboring Pakistan, that the United States may 
launch another attack against Mr. Bin Laden.

Newspapers in Pakistan recently reported U-S fighter 
planes have landed in advance in a planned attack on 
Afghanistan.  U-S officials deny the reports.   
(Signed)

NEB/SA/LTD/RAE



11-Aug-1999 08:32 AM EDT (11-Aug-1999 1232 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.