Military

DATE= 10/15/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / OPPOSITION (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-281839

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is hinting at imminent U-S air-strikes against Taleban positions north of the Afghan capital, Kabul. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says U-S forces are trying to be as helpful as possible to the anti-Taleban opposition inside Afghanistan.

But he suggests there have been few air-strikes against Taleban positions blocking the advance of Northern Alliance opposition forces north of Kabul because of a lack of precise targeting information.

Still, he voices hope for improved targeting information soon and says any Taleban troops who feel the safest place for them is along the front lines to the north are mistaken.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

I suspect that in the period ahead that's not going to be a very safe place to be.

///END ACTUALITY///

Mr. Rumsfeld tells reporters at the Pentagon the U-S military is making good progress in creating conditions for sustained anti-terrorist operations inside Afghanistan.

He says U-S aircraft and missiles continue to hit al-Qaida and Taleban targets, including military training facilities, missile storage sites, troop staging areas and the like.

He says U-S aircraft are also continuing airdrops of relief supplies. In addition, planes are dropping information leaflets and broadcasting radio messages to discuss the U-S military operation. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/RH