Military

DATE= 11/1/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/PENTAGON (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-282558

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the United States is poised to dramatically increase the number of American ground forces operating with anti-Taleban resistance groups inside Afghanistan. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says the Pentagon wants to triple or even quadruple the number of U-S teams operating with opposition forces inside Afghanistan.

But he tells reporters the expansion of the American ground effort has run into difficulties, including poor weather and at least one incident in which heavy ground fire prevented a U-S unit from landing.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

Recently ground fire was a situation that prevented someone, some team from getting in. But we have a number of teams cocked and ready to go. It's just a matter of having the right kind of equipment to get them there and the landing zones in places where it is possible to get in and get out.

///END ACTUALITY///

Mr. Rumsfeld says there were no American casualties in the incident.

The Defense Secretary declines to be specific about the numbers of troops now involved in the ground effort, which is concentrated in northern Afghanistan.

But he says U-S forces are working closely with anti-Taleban opposition groups to coordinate communications and the supply of ammunition and other military assistance. In addition, the U-S troops are providing targeting information for ongoing American air-strikes.

Those strikes continue to target Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist command and control facilities in tunnels, bunkers and caves. They are also directed against troops arrayed along the frontlines, facing opposition groups like the Northern Alliance.

Mr. Rumsfeld says other anti-Taleban resistance groups are now receiving U-S assistance in the form of ammunition and food. He declines to identify the groups.

The Defense Secretary is meanwhile leveling new charges against the Taleban, claiming their forces are now placing anti-aircraft guns on buildings in civilian residential areas. He charges this is for the explicit purpose of attracting U-S bombs, so Taleban leaders can then blame the United States for killing civilians.

///REST OPTIONAL///

On other issues, Mr. Rumsfeld dismisses suggestions the U-S campaign is bogged down. He also dismisses as "absolutely false" suggestions the U-S air campaign has been in any way restrained or tempered by political considerations.

And Mr. Rumsfeld says he cannot dispute reports indicating the Taleban is obtaining supplies overland from Pakistan. But he says Pakistan's government remains a close ally and says suggestions of official Pakistani complicity in the re-supply effort are wrong.

(Signed)

NEB/BEL/FC