DATE=11/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EGYPT AIR 990 (L)
NUMBER=2-256327
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The Egyptian government says efforts to begin 
a criminal investigation into the crash of Egypt Air 
flight 990 is a rush to judgement, adding that more 
needs to be known about the circumstances of the 
crash.  But as V-O-A's Nick Simeone reports, U-S 
officials say the course of the investigation will be 
guided by the evidence, not by the wishes of Egypt.

TEXT:  The F-B-I was ready to take over the EgyptAir 
case two days ago.  Air safety officials have already 
begun to suspect sabotage - and not mechanical failure 
- after a crew member was heard on the cockpit voice 
recorder saying in Arabic "I have made my decision, I 
put my fate I God's hands'.

But Egypt is not convinced this means a member of the 
crew deliberately took the plane down.  In Washington, 
embassy spokesman Abdel Al-eem el-Abyad.

            /// EL-ABYAD ACT ///

      Our position is, is that we should have a 
      thorough investigation of the accident, as 
      thorough as could be.  We should not rush to 
      judgement.

            /// END ACT ///

He and many Muslims point out that what the National 
Transportation Safety Board may have heard on the 
cockpit voice recorder does not - by itself - point to 
sabotage.

            /// EL-ABYAD ACT ///

      Even the N-T-S-B could not determine beyond a 
      shadow of a doubt that this is what has 
      happened.  This is a phrase that I use, 
      everybody uses, every Muslim uses dozens of 
      times a day before you start any activity.  It's 
      just so interspersed in the everyday 
      conversations for Muslims and especially for 
      Egyptians.

            /// END ACT ///

Egyptians are angry about news leaks suggesting that 
investigators suspect sabotage and are ready to let 
the F-B-I take over the case.   Deputy U-S Attorney 
General Eric Holder would not comment on whether 
investigators have any motive for sabotage.  But he 
told reporters Thursday it will be up to the United 
States - and not Egypt - to decide the course of the 
investigation, including whether sabotage becomes the 
focus.

            /// HOLDER ACT ///

      I would not say anything is contingent upon the 
      approval of the Egyptian government.

            /// END ACT ///

But he emphasizes the probe is still in the early 
stages and that it is simply too early to say what 
happened. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/JP




18-Nov-1999 12:55 PM EDT (18-Nov-1999 1755 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.