DATE=8/13/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CHASING BIN LADEN
NUMBER=5-44060
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A year ago, a barrage of cruise missiles hit
targets in Afghanistan and Sudan in response to the
deadly bombing of two U-S embassies in Africa.  The
United States has since been trying to finish the job
and bring to justice the alleged terrorist mastermind,
Osama bin Laden.  V-O-A's David Swan reports.

TEXT:  The exiled Saudi financier has become like the
American gangsters who law enforcement authorities
once called public enemies.  His picture appears on
posters, which in large red letters brand him a
murderer, and offer rewards up to five-million dollars
for information leading to his capture.  His
organization has been the target of U-S military force
and continuing diplomatic pressure.

So far, these initiatives have failed to bear fruit.
U-S officials have repeatedly warned the bin Laden
network is capable of striking again.  Threats of new
attacks have temporarily shut down dozens of American
missions overseas.  Some private terrorism experts
believe the group may have acquired weapons of mass
destruction.  Still, the administration's effort draws
supportive reviews from at least one key lawmaker, who
rarely hestitates to criticize the White House on
other matters.

        // HATCH ACT //

      We've kept him in check.  We've kept him in
      check geographically.  We're putting a lot of
      pressure on all over the world.  I won't go into
      the classified information but this
      administration's doing a pretty good job.

        // END ACT //

Republican Senator Orrin Hatch is chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the
Intelligence committee.

        // HATCH ACT //

      We know where he is.  We know what his
      activities are. And we've just got to stay ever
      alert because he does have the finances, he does
      have some support around the world that
      literally could cause him to penetrate our
      country as well as others.

        // END ACT //

In a recent appearance on the C-B-S News program "Face
the Nation," Mr. Hatch said the administration is
holding its own against Mr. bin Laden, and in the end
will prevail.

        // HATCH ACT //

      Ultimately we're going to make an example of a
      person who literally is causing death all over
      the world or at least trying to cause death all
      over the world.

        // END ACT //

The campaign against Mr. bin Laden has been
controversial from the start.  Some critics believed
the cruise missile attack was meant to divert
attention from last year's White House sex scandal.
There have since been questions about whether one of
the targets, a pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, was
part of the terrorist organization at all.

However, U-S officials do not rule out further
military action.  Testifying before Congress earlier
this year, Assistant Secretary of State Karl
Inderfurth said the first strike last year achieved at
least some results.

// 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 //

It is far from clear just how, or if, that goal will
be achieved.  This past week (Monday) the White House
denied reports that U-S commandos were in Pakistan,
preparing for a raid across the Afghan border.
(Signed)

NEB/DS/JO



13-Aug-1999 15:57 PM EDT (13-Aug-1999 1957 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.