DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KASHMIRI GROUP (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254904
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  A militant Islamic group whose activists are 
fighting in Kashmir and Afghanistan has condemned a U-S
declaration calling it a terrorist group.  As 
Correspondent Scott Anger reports from Islamabad, the 
Pakistan-based group is one of 22 the United States 
has put on its list of international terrorist 
organizations.

TEXT:  Soldiers with the Harkat ul-Mujahideen group 
are fighting in the disputed region of Kashmir and 
along side the Taleban, who are battling opposition 
forces for control of Afghanistan.

Harkat ul-Mujahideen leader, Fazal-ur-Rehman Khalil, 
denies the U-S charge.  He told a crowded news 
conference (Tuesday) in Islamabad, the U-S action is 
not going to affect the group's activities.

            /// URDU ACT, FADE UNDER ///

Mr. Khalil says if the United States fails to present 
solid evidence against the group within the next 48-
hours, they will ask an international court to condemn 
the U-S action.

The Harkat ul-Mujahideen mainly operates from 
Pakistan, as do several other separatist organizations 
fighting to take control of the part of Kashmir under 
Indian rule.

Kashmir has been the source of two-wars between 
Pakistan and India in the past 50-years.  India blames 
Pakistan for providing military training to the 
insurgents fighting against Indian forces in the two-
thirds of Kashmir it controls.  Pakistan controls the 
rest of Kashmir and denies the Indian charge.

Last week, the United States issued a list of 
organizations around the world it says are promoting 
terrorism.  Harkat ul-Mujahideen is the second 
Pakistan-based group the United States has declared a 
terrorist organization.  The Pakistani government 
forced the other group to close its offices.

Harkat ul-Mujahideen's leader says it will resist 
pressure from the Pakistani government to shut down 
its offices in Pakistan.   (SIGNED)

NEB/SA/RAE



12-Oct-1999 08:32 AM EDT (12-Oct-1999 1232 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.