News

DATE=7/30/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=AFGHAN - BIN LADEN (L UPDATE) NUMBER=2-252348 BYLINE=AYAZ GUL DATELINE=ISLAMABAD INTERNET=YES CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Saudi -born Islamic militant Osama bin Laden has reportedly decided to leave Afghanistan because of fears of expected attacks from the United States. But Mr. bin Laden's followers in the war-torn country and in neighboring Pakistan are threatening to target American nationals in the event of a fresh U-S attack on Afghanistan. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad. TEXT: //OPENS WITH CROWD CHANTING// Hundreds of supporters of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden chanted anti-American slogans Friday at a rally in the Pakistani capital against what they say are plans by the United States to launch an attack on neighboring Afghanistan. Several speakers at the rally, staged by Pakistan's second largest Islamic party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, threatened to go to war against Americans if Mr. bin Laden is attacked. // REHMAN IN URDU,FADE UNDER // The leader of the party, Fazlur Rehman, told the demonstrators that neither the U-S ambassador nor American diplomats in Pakistan will be safe in the event of a U-S attack on Afghanistan. In addition to the rally in Islamabad, thousands of people took part in similar anti-U-S rallies in the Taleban-controlled Afghan towns of Khost and Jalalabad. The protesters in those towns reportedly vowed to protect bin Laden from any U-S aggression. The demonstrations come after much speculation in the region that the United States may launch another attack on Mr. bin Laden. The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reported on Friday that the Saudi militant has decided to leave Afghanistan before such an attack is carried out. Mr. bin Laden is quoted in the A-I-P report as saying he has decided to seek sanctuary in another Islamic country -- which he did not name -- to prevent more suffering by the Afghan people because of his presence in their country. The United States accuses Mr. bin Laden of masterminding last year's bombings of two U-S embassies in Africa in which more than two-hundred people died. Shortly after the bombings, Washington launched cruise-missile attacks at suspected training camps in Afghanistan run by the Saudi militant. The United States has put Osama bin Laden on its list of most-wanted criminals for, Washington says, ordering the embassy bombings. Washington is also offering five million dollars for information leading to Mr. Bin Laden's capture. Afghanistan's dominant Taleban faction has resisted U-S pressure to extradite Mr. bin Laden to the United States, saying he is a guest in the country. In retaliation, President Clinton has imposed economic sanctions against the hard-line Islamic movement, which controls most of the country. (Signed) NEB/AG/KL 30-Jul-1999 15:25 PM LOC (30-Jul-1999 1925 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .