Military

DATE=10/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/ATTACKS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-281620

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S military operations against selected Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist targets inside Afghanistan are continuing for a fourth-day. But Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon that officials are keeping silent about their latest operations.

TEXT: U-S air-strikes have largely succeeded in destroying Taleban air defenses, permitting American aircraft to operate around-the-clock.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld suggests to reporters at the Pentagon that means military planners can move on to the next phase of the campaign.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

We are moving along well towards our goal of creating conditions necessary to conduct a sustained campaign to root out terrorists...

/// END ACT ///

Military analysts say it seems likely a "sustained campaign" means the use of U-S ground forces, perhaps inserted by helicopter to hunt down terrorists.

Pentagon spokesmen say nothing is being ruled out. But they also say they will not comment on current or future operations.

They also caution that Mr. Rumsfeld's use of the phrase "root out" - while suggesting ground operations does not necessarily mean that. One defense official tells V-O-A: "There are different ways to root out people." The official offers no elaboration.

But other military assets available for penetrating underground hide-outs include so-called bunker-buster heavy bombs.

Mr. Rumsfeld and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces, General Richard Myers, indicate one of their hopes is that U-S air-strikes may be forcing terrorists and their supporters on the run. That could make them, what Mr. Rumsfeld calls, "targets of opportunity" for U-S aircraft.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

We will be gathering additional intelligence from the ground and through various intelligence assets that will enable us to seize targets of opportunity, and that means you have to wait until they emerge.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld says there are already some indications that is happening.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

We do, you know, pick up scraps of information that some things like that are happening. It is very difficult to verify them. But it is pretty clear that the Taleban and the al-Qaida are feeling some pressure.

/// END ACT ///

In addition to U-S air and naval forces in the region, some ground troops have already been deployed to Uzbekistan, which borders Afghanistan to the north. Other units capable of ground operations are with amphibious groups at sea. Some elite special operations forces may already be inside Afghanistan, conducting reconnaissance missions.

All would be capable of search-and-destroy activities aimed against Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist forces. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/RAE