Military

DATE=10/02/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/RUMSFELD UPDATE(L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-281282

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// Eds: adds details of itinerary plus new reserve call-up ///

INTRO: President Bush is dispatching Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to the Middle East and Central Asia (Tuesday night) as the buildup of U-S forces in that region continues for anti-terrorist operations. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says he will travel to Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in a trip focusing on the U-S led campaign against terrorism.

Mr. Rumsfeld tells reporters at the Pentagon he hopes to return by Saturday or Sunday. He says he hopes to meet U-S troops in addition to holding talks with senior officials.

Otherwise he gives few details of the purpose of his trip, saying only it is motivated in part by the high level of activity involving American forces in the region.

Mr. Rumsfeld was asked specifically about his goals in visiting Uzbekistan - already viewed as a key staging base for anti-terrorist operations in neighboring Afghanistan.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

I've not met the leadership there and it seemed to me that given their geography and situation that having a first face-to-face with the leadership there would be a useful thing.

///END ACTUALITY///

Afghanistan is the central focus of U-S military planners because it is the hiding place of terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden, the accused mastermind of last month's bloody terrorist suicide attacks on New York and Washington.

Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke says U-S forces continue to take up positions for Operation Enduring Freedom, the codename for planned U-S anti-terrorist military operations.

She tells reporters about 30-thousand troops have been deployed to the Gulf region along with some 350 military aircraft and two aircraft carrier battle groups.

In addition, the Pentagon says another 22-hundred reservists have been called up, raising to more than 22-thousand the number activated so far for security and other duties in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, Ms. Clarke confirms that intensive planning is under way at the Pentagon for providing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan as a critical element of military operations.

She says it underscores the U-S message that any such operations are not aimed at the Afghan people but at terrorists and their supporters.

Pentagon sources indicate one option under consideration would be air drops targeted at Afghans who have moved away from areas under Taleban control.(Signed)

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