Military

DATE=10/17/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/AFGHANISTAN (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-281934

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon is urging Taleban soldiers in Afghanistan to surrender or face death at the hands of U-S forces. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: With allied air-strikes against Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist targets now in their second week, special U-S military radio broadcasts into Afghanistan are urging Taleban soldiers to surrender.

The messages - in Dari and Pashto are being broadcast from U-S E-C-130 "Commando Solo" aircraft, essentially flying radio and television stations.

They say if Taleban soldiers surrender, no harm will come to them. They are advised to approach U-S forces with hands in the air and with their weapons emptied of ammunition.

But are there any U-S forces on the ground for Taleban soldiers to surrender to? Senior Pentagon officials decline comment.

Asked what Taleban soldiers should do if there are no U-S troops around, the same officials suggest they should defect to opposition forces.

Despite the evasiveness, Pentagon sources indicate the U-S led campaign could be poised for a new stage that might involve ground troops.

The sources say special operations forces with helicopters have been deployed aboard a U-S aircraft carrier now in the Arabian Sea. They are prepared to go into Afghanistan if ordered.

The disclosure comes after days of relentless U-S bombing against Taleban military and al-Qaida terrorist targets, including tanks, armored vehicles and barracks.

In recent days, U-S bombers and fighter aircraft have been joined by A-C-130 flying gunships, often used in support of ground troops.

Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem, deputy director of operations on the U-S military's Joint Staff, says the Taleban's defenses are being steadily eroded.

///STUFFLEBEEM ACTUALITY///

We are systematically pulling away at the legs under the stool that the Taleban leadership counts on to be able to exert their influence and power.

///END ACTUALITY///

Admiral Stufflebeem was asked whether U-S forces should have a bombing pause to allow for stepped up humanitarian relief efforts for the Afghan people. He says U-S actions are not standing in the way of relief efforts. He says the Taleban appears to be preventing aid groups from carrying out their duties.

U-S cargo planes are air-dropping humanitarian food parcels into Afghanistan. But Pentagon officials concede such an air effort is inefficient. So far, some 400-thousand individual meals have been dropped into the country. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/PT