DATE=10/13/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=EDITORIAL: U.S, RUSSIA FIGHT BIN LADIN
NUMBER=0-08484
CONTENT=


THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED
FOR BROADCAST 10/13/99.

Anncr:  The Voice of America presents differing 
points of view on a wide variety of issues.  Next, 
an editorial expressing the policies of the United 
States Government:

Voice: The United States and Russia are 
cooperating in the fight against international 
terrorism.  With Russia's backing, the U-S 
introduced a draft resolution in the United 
Nations Security Council that would impose an air 
embargo and financial sanctions on Afghanistan 
unless it surrenders the international terrorist, 
Osama bin Laden. [oo-SAH-mah been Lah-dehn]

Bin Laden is the prime suspect as the organizer of 
the August 1998 bombing of the American embassies 
in Kenya and Tanzania. That vicious act caused the 
deaths of nearly three-hundred people and injured 
more than five-thousand others. 

Originally from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden has been 
implicated in a series of terrorist acts around 
the world. He is determined to drive U-S forces 
out of Saudi Arabia, where they are stationed at 
the invitation of the Saudi government. He has 
said it is the duty of every Muslim to kill 
Americans and plunder their assets. 

After Bin Laden was indicted by a federal grand 
jury in New York, the U-S asked the Taliban, which 
controls most of Afghanistan, that he be expelled 
to a country where he can be brought to justice.  
When the Taliban refused, the U-S imposed 
sanctions last July.  It is an expansion of this 
policy which is being pursued, with Russian 
support, in the United Nations Security Council.

U-N-supported sanctions can work.  After a 
painstaking investigation, two Libyan agents were 
charged with the terrorist bombing of a Pan 
American passenger flight over Lockerbie, 
Scotland.  When the Libyan government refused to 
hand them over, the U-N Security Council imposed 
sanctions on Libya.  Though the process and the 
pressure took years, the Libyan suspects finally 
were handed over. Their trial, which will be held 
in the Netherlands, is expected to begin soon.

The U-S and Russia are asking for no more than 
this in bin Ladin's case.  Countries must defend 
themselves against terrorism.  Groups that refuse 
to respect this principle - like the Taleban - 
must be isolated.  Diplomatic and economic 
pressure must be applied. This is the purpose of 
the U-S-Russian initiative.
 
Anncr:  That was an editorial expressing the 
policies of the United States Government.  If you 
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, 
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A.  You may also 
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials, 
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.



12-Oct-1999 15:31 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 1931 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.