DATE=12/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JORDAN / TERROR ARRESTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257192
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S officials say more than a dozen people 
suspected of planning terrorist attacks on Americans 
have been arrested in Jordan.  A White House official 
says those in custody are accused of being part of a 
group that sparked a world-wide warning to U-S 
citizens, about possible attacks during millennium 
celebrations and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  
V-O-A's Jim Randle reports.

TEXT: The suspects are mostly Jordanians, but also 
include an Iraqi and an Algerian.

White House press spokesman Joe Lockhart says the 
suspects may be linked to the organization blamed for 
blowing up two U-S embassies in Africa, and bombing 
the World Trade Center in New York.  The terrorist 
network is led by exiled Saudi Osama bin Laden.

            /// 1st LOCKHART ACT ///

      We certainly believe that they were members of 
      [Mr.] Bin Laden's organization, [and] that posed 
      a threat to Americans.

            /// END ACT ///

It the first time Washington has said where the 
accused terrorists were taken into custody.

Mr. Lockhart says the arrests do  not  mean the risk 
of terrorist attack is over.

            /// 2nd LOCKHART ACT ///

      We are following closely all threats, and 
      continue to be vigilant.

            /// END ACT ///

Jordanian officials say the suspected members of the 
Bin Laden organization were arrested as they arrived 
from Afghanistan, where they allegedly had received 
military training.

Afghanistan is where exiled Saudi Osama bin Laden is 
hiding under the protection of the ruling Taleban 
faction.

The State Department warned U-S citizens Saturday that 
it had credible information that terrorists were 
planning attacks in the near future.   (Signed)

NEB/JR/WTW



15-Dec-1999 17:29 PM EDT (15-Dec-1999 2229 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.