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)
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Source: Voice of America
.