DATE=11/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EGYPT / CRASH REACT (L)
NUMBER=2-255699
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: THE FIRST FLIGHT IS DUE TO LEAVE CAIRO
AROUND 0000 UTC, OR 7 P-M WASHINGTON TIME. WATCH
FOR UPDATES TO THE INTRO ///

INTRO:  In Egypt, grieving relatives of some of the 
217 people killed in Sunday's crash of Egypt Air 
flight 990 are preparing to leave (EDS: have left) for 
the United States to help identify the bodies. They 
will be accompanied by a group of Egyptian officials 
who are to participate in the investigation. V-O-A 
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Cairo there is a 
somber mood in the country, although life for most 
continues normally.

TEXT:  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (Monday) sent 
condolences to those who lost loved ones in the crash 
and told the nation he was shocked and saddened by the 
tragedy.

In an interview broadcast on Egyptian television, he 
said he did not believe the accident was due to any 
criminal act.

            /// MUBARAK ACT ///

      We are waiting until the investigation can come 
      to an end. I cannot just invent a reason. We 
      will wait and see. But, I could tell you that I 
      have no thinking that it is sabotage or anything 
      like that, because they have very strict 
      inspections in New York.

            /// END ACT ///

// Opt /// Officials at Cairo's international airport 
Monday closed the crisis center, carrying away trash 
bags full of paper cups, food wrappers and cigarette 
butts. /// End opt ///

The airport's terminal saw scenes of intense emotion 
and grief Sunday, as family members learned about the 
crash.

Egypt Air officials say they are sending about 100 
family members to the United States to help identify 
victims. Diplomats at the U-S Embassy here said they 
have issued 75 visas so far. 

Although no official period of mourning has been 
declared, religious leaders say there will be special 
prayers throughout Egypt for the victims and their 
families in mosques Friday and churches on Sunday.

            /// REST OPT ///

Egypt Air flight 990 disappeared from radar screens 
shortly after taking off from New York City early 
Sunday morning.

Rescue teams have found documents from the plane in a 
debris field 100 kilometers off the coast of the 
northeastern state of Massachusetts. Air traffic 
officials say the plane fell thousands of meters in 
seconds, indicating it was probably downed by what 
they call a massive mechanical failure.

Eighty Egyptians and more than 100 Americans were on 
board, including two large groups of tourists on 
vacation. Other passengers included citizens of Syria, 
Sudan, Chile and Canada.

Egypt's national air carrier is one of the oldest 
airlines in the Middle East. It experienced a number 
of accidents in the 1960s and 1970s, but had a good 
safety record over the past 20 years. Egyptian 
officials are worried this disaster will hurt tourism, 
which is just beginning to recover from a series of 
terrorist attacks a few years ago. Tourism is one of 
the country's top foreign exchange earners.

Despite the loss, life goes on here. People went to 
work and school normally today and the first Egypt Air 
flight from New York City since the tragedy arrived in 
Cairo on schedule. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/GE/LTD/JO



01-Nov-1999 11:41 AM EDT (01-Nov-1999 1641 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.