Military

DATE=10/04/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / AID (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-281365

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Defense Department is gearing up to support President Bush's pledge of additional humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. We get details from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral Craig Quigley says defense authorities are making plans to carry out a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, including potentially dangerous air-drops of relief supplies.

Admiral Quigley cannot say when the relief operation will begin. But he says food, medicine and other assistance will be targeted at areas outside Taleban control where Afghans have fled in anticipation of U-S backed military strikes aimed at suspected terrorists and their supporters.

The Pentagon spokesman acknowledges Taleban forces have anti-aircraft weapons, which he says will be taken into account if air-drops of relief supplies are scheduled. Admiral Quigley says U-S forces will take what he terms "appropriate action" if any humanitarian aid flights come under fire. He will not rule out possible fighter escorts for aircraft carrying relief supplies.

In addition to air-drops, the Pentagon spokesman says overland shipments of aid are also being considered.

Earlier this week, a senior Pentagon official told V-O-A such humanitarian operations are intended to underscore the Bush administration's message that its anti-terrorist mission is not aimed against the Afghan people.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld recently noted that the United States is already the biggest food aid deliverer in Afghanistan, providing over 170-million dollars worth of aid this year. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH