Bin Laden is `wanted,' in five languages

WASHINGTON -- The United States released "wanted" posters for Osama bin Laden yesterday, offering up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction on charges of bombing two U.S. embassies.

The posters show color photographs of bin Laden and of rescue operations at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 7. They offer "absolute confidentiality" and possible relocation for informers and their families.

A New York court has indicted bin Laden, a Saudi millionaire now living in Afghanistan, and 11 of his associates for the bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. More than 200 people were killed, including 12 Americans.

The $5 million reward was announced in November.

"This reward offer has already generated leads that are being investigated," State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday. He did not elaborate.

The posters, which also offer money for Muhammad Atef, the military commander of bin Laden's group, will be distributed to all U.S. diplomatic missions abroad. There are versions in five languages -- English, Arabic, French, Dari (spoken in Afghanistan) and Baluchi (spoken in Pakistan) .