DATE=2/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227282
TITLE=C-I-A / MUSLIMS (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   U-S INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS ARE ASSESSING A ROUND OF 
THREATS AGAINST AMERICANS, IN THE FORM OF RELIGIOUS EDICTS FROM 
MILITANT MUSLIMS.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT:  ACCORDING TO THE C-I-A, TWO ISLAMIC GROUPS HAVE RECENTLY 
ISSUED FATWAS, OR DECREES.  WRITTEN BY UNNAMED CLERICS, THEY URGE
MUSLIMS TO ATTACK U-S CITIZENS AND INTERESTS WORLDWIDE.  ONE 
RULING CAME FROM SAUDI FINANCIER USAMA BIN LADIN, WHO LIVES IN 
AFGHANISTAN AND WHO THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS BRANDED A TERRORIST.
THE OTHER EDICT WAS SENT BY A COALITION OF ISLAMIC GROUPS AND 
SCHOLARS IN LONDON.

BOTH DOCUMENTS SPEAK OF THE PERSIAN GULF CRISIS AND A POSSIBLE 
MILITARY STRIKE ON IRAQ.  HOWEVER, THEY ALSO CALL FOR 
ANTI-AMERICAN ATTACKS TO CONTINUE UNTIL U-S FORCES WITHDRAW FROM 
SAUDI ARABIA AND JERUSALEM.  THE BRITISH-BASED GROUP SAYS THE 
FIGHT SHOULD NOT STOP UNTIL U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BAGHDAD ARE
LIFTED.  THE OTHER DEMANDS THE LIBERATION OF WHAT IT CALLS HOLY 
PLACES IN SAUDI ARABIA AND ISRAEL -- AND IT CALLS FOR THE DEATH 
OF AMERICANS AND THEIR ALLIES.

STATE DEPARTMENT JAMES RUBIN CONDEMNED THE FATWA AS A COWARDLY 
INVITATION TO ATTACK CIVILIANS.

                          /// RUBIN ACT ///

         THE UNITED STATES TAKES THIS AND ALL SUCH THREATS 
         SERIOUSLY.  WE'RE STUDYING IT CAREFULLY AND EVALUATING 
         ITS IMPLICATIONS. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO SPECIFIC THREAT 
         CONTAINED IN THE FATWA.

                           /// END ACT ///

THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY URGED AMERICANS IN EUROPE AND THE 
MIDDLE EAST TO USE EXTRA CAUTION, DUE TO THE TENSIONS BROUGHT ON 
BY THE GULF CRISI.

THE C-I-A REPORT FOLLOWS A SENATE HEARING (TUESDAY), WHERE 
LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TESTIFIED THE UNITED STATES IS STILL 
FACING A TERRORIST THREAT. OFFICIALS SAY THE DANGER COMES NOT 
FROM STATE-SPONSORED TERRORISTS, BUT FROM LOOSELY-ORGANIZED 
GROUPS, LIKE THE ONE THAT BOMBED THE WORLD TRADE CENTER FIVE 
YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/WDC/PT

25-Feb-98 2:49 PM EST (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.