QUESTION: Here is probably an old report, but it keeps coming up. Do you know anything about restrictions placed on Usama bin Laden by the Afghan -- by the Taliban leadership -- communications, recruiting, et cetera? I think this report has been circulating for a few weeks. 

MR. REEKER: I don't have anything new on that, Barry, in particular. As you know, we have discussed for a long time the difficulties with Usama bin Laden and his presence in Afghanistan. What I can say is that the United Nations Security Council Resolutions call for Mr. bin Laden to be turned over to a country where he can be brought to justice under those UN resolutions, and that has not occurred. So we have repeatedly expressed our concerns to the Taliban about the presence of Usama bin Laden there, also about the presence of training camps for militants and terrorists in Afghanistan and the need for them to be shut down. We've made our position known quite publicly on that, in addition to discussions with the Taliban. 

Bin Laden and other camps, the presence of others there, are a threat to the region and beyond, and they must be shut down. You'll recall earlier this month we had a working group meeting with our Russian counterparts on Afghanistan here in Washington and issued a statement at that time discussing our renewed condemnation with Russia of the terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and reiterating the determination we have with Russia to cooperate in countering it and calling for full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and support of further measures against the Taliban. 

QUESTION: Do you think they're getting the message; they've begun to act? 

MR. REEKER: Well, they should get the message because we reiterate it regularly through all of our contacts, not just us but the entire UN Security Council, including the Russians, as I indicated, and other members of the United Nations. So these are steps that need to be taken. We're patient. We're watching. 

(The briefing was concluded at 2:25 P.M.) 

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