DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK - AFGHAN TERRORISM (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258692
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  A senior leader of Afghanistan's Taleban 
Islamic movement has reiterated his group's opposition 
to the expulsion of alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden 
from the country.  Mr. bin Laden, a Saudi dissident 
living in Afghanistan, is wanted by the United States 
on suspicion he was involved in the bombings of two U-
S embassies in Africa.  From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul 
reports.

TEXT: The deputy Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammed 
Rabbani, has dismissed allegations the Taleban is 
harboring terrorists in Afghanistan. After a two-day 
visit to neighboring Pakistan, he told a news 
conference in Islamabad his group condemns terrorism 
as un-Islamic.

     /// FIRST RABBANI ACT WITH TRANSLATION ///

      We condemn all kinds of terrorism. We are not 
      backing any type of terrorism by anyone against 
      any country. Terrorism is an act against Islam. 
      It's not accepted by Islamic principles. 
      Therefore, we would not allow terrorist 
      activities to be performed in our country.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Rabbani says Afghanistan will not accede to what 
he calls undue demands of the United States to expel 
Mr. bin Laden. He says the Taleban has restricted his 
activities and denied him access to communications.

        /// SECOND RABBANI ACT WITH TRANSLATION ///

      Afghanistan is a free Islamic state and Osama is 
      our guest in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. 
      As far as we are concerned all the activities of 
      bin Laden are banned in Afghanistan.
      
            /// END ACT ///

The United States accuses Mr. bin Laden of 
masterminding the 1998 bombings of its embassies in 
Tanzania and Kenya that killed more than 200 people. 
The United Nations has imposed sanctions against the 
Taleban for refusing to extradite Mr. bin Laden to 
stand trial for the attacks. (Signed)

NEB/AG/gm



01-Feb-2000 12:56 PM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.