Home>News Center>World
         
 

US doubles reward for capture of bin Laden
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-19 11:13

The U.S. House of Representatives, amid an intensifying hunt for leaders of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, voted unanimously Thursday to double the reward for Osama bin Laden's capture to $50 million.

The move came in connection with a broader bill that expanded the State Department's anti-terrorist rewards program to provide cash and other benefits to those helping authorities track down drug traffickers who support terrorist activities.

The bill, which was passed 414-0, now goes to the Senate. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla., said it recognizes the growing link between the illicit drug trade and the financing and support of terrorist activities.

Three senior officials of the government of Pakistan said Thursday they believe their troops have surrounded Ayman al-Zawahri, al-Qaeda's No. 2 figure, in an operation near the Afghan border.

Outside of Osama, the legislation amends a 1956 law to raise the maximum amount of terrorist and narco-terrorist rewards from $5 million to $25 million.

Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said it also takes into account that many in countries such as Afghanistan who might have information about wanted terrorists or traffickers are illiterate and can't read reward posters. In addition, he said, many live in rural areas where material rewards can be of greater use than cash.

The legislation gives the State Department flexibility to give out vehicles, appliances, and other goods and to explore ways to best publicize the rewards program.

Rep. Tom Lantos of California, top Democrat on the International Relations Committee, said that up to now there has been a false distinction between the anti-narcotics efforts of the Drug Enforcement Agency, which has its own rewards program, and the campaign against terrorism. "For the struggle against terrorism to succeed our government must be unified, not divided," he said.

Kirk said the State Department rewards program has been used in the Balkans and in securing the capture of Aimal Khan Kasi, the Pakistani executed two years ago for the murder of two CIA employees.

The biggest reward ever was given to the informant who pointed American forces toward the hideout of Saddam Hussein's two sons, who were killed in a U.S. attack. The reward offered was $15 million for each son and the tipster received the bulk of the $30 million.

A $25 million reward was also posted for help in capturing Saddam, but that money is not likely to be given out because he was located by the U.S. military.

 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Government relaxes control of airfares, finally

 

   
 

U.S. launches WTO complaint against China

 

   
 

Sources: Al Qaeda No 2 leader surrounded

 

   
 

FM to pay official visit to DPRK

 

   
 

women bosses urged to date and marry

 

   
 

As kids keep on calling, experts worry

 

   
  US doubles reward for capture of bin Laden
   
  Sources: Al Qaeda No 2 leader surrounded
   
  Violence hits ahead of Iraq war milestone
   
  Kosovo death toll rises to 31
   
  Estimates of Saddam's oil profits raised
   
  Poland 'misled' on Iraq, President says
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
France: Bin Laden nearly caught in Afghanistan
   
US steps up hunt for Osama Bin Laden
   
U.S. launches new Afghan push against Bin Laden
   
Bin Laden may be eyeing move
   
Documentary shows Osama as family man
   
Pakistan denies deal allowing US to hunt bin Laden
   
US, Pakistan deny Bin Laden's capture
  News Talk  
  The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2003  
Advertisement