October 8, 2001

Baylor graduates reported safe
after Afghanistan bombing
___By John Hall
___Staff Writer
___KABUL, Afghanistan--Two Baylor University graduates on trial inAfghanistan were reported to be safe after the second day of bombing inthat country by United States and British forces.
___ Taliban officials told the State Department Oct. 9 the detained aidworkers--including Dayna Curry, 29, and Heather Mercer, 24--were safe inKabul, a State Department representative said.
___ The two are among eight foreign Shelter Now International workersarrested Aug. 3 on possible charges of attempting to convert Muslims toChristianity. Two Australians and four Germans also were arrested, alongwith 16 Afghan nationals.
___ The internationals face jail time and expulsion from the country whilethe Afghans face death.
___ The United States began bombing specific targets throughout theTaliban-controlled regions of Afghanistan Oct. 7 because the Talibangovernment did not meet the ultimatums issued by the United States,according to U.S. President George W. Bush.
___ The Americans' lawyer, Atif Ali Khan, was translating the courtdocuments in Pakistan to determine the exact charges against his clientsin preparation for the case when the bombing occurred, the StateDepartment spokeswoman said. She said he plans on traveling to Kabul forthe trial, which is scheduled to resume Oct. 11, whether or not thebombing continues.
___ Taliban Supreme Court justices allowed Khan, who is familiar withIslamic court law and speaks the language of the Taliban court, three to15 days to translate the six pages of charges waged against the women.He has visited with the women several times since the trial began.
___ A State Department official said that during a four-hour visit with thewomen Oct. 2, Khan gave the women letters from their parents, who arestaying in Islamabad, Pakistan, following the evacuation of allforeigners from Afghanistan Sept. 13. He also took letters from thewomen that were to be delivered to their parents and gave them food,medicine, some personal items and some money.
___ The official said the Baylor graduates, who were escorted into thecourtroom by armed guards according to some reports, were in goodspirits and health.
___ Khan met with several Taliban officials Sept. 29 as well as some of thejudges that will participate in the trial and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs consular chief, according to Richard Boucher, another spokesmanfor the State Department.
___Despite growing tensions between the Taliban government, which controlsabout 90 percent of Afghanistan, and a U.S.-led coalition aimed atfighting terrorism, Taliban Supreme Court Chief Justice Noor MohammedSaqib assured the internationals they would have a fair trial accordingto Islamic law, the Associated Press reported.

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