Military

DATE= 11/13/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHAN/RUMSFELD (L)

NUMBER=2-283099

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says a small number of U-S troops are now in the Afghan capital of Kabul to give advice to opposition Northern Alliance leaders whose forces have seized the city. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says the number of U-S troops in Kabul is not sufficient for policing duties. But he says they can provide advice and counsel to opposition leaders.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

There are a very small number of U-S forces in the city of Kabul. There are not sufficient forces to monitor or police the entire city. They are a sufficient number that they can give advice and counsel to the people who are in the city, the leadership, and they can report back that which they see.

///END ACTUALITY///

Mr. Rumsfeld says the U-S advisors have not reported back witnessing any atrocities. He says U-S forces have in the past urged the Northern Alliance to show restraint in taking over territory previously held by the Taleban.

The Defense Secretary says the top U-S priority in the military operation in Afghanistan is tracking down leaders of the Taleban and the al-Qaida terrorist network. He discloses that U-S Special Forces are now operating in the south of the country, where the Taleban and al-Qaida have retreated.

But he also warns Taleban and al-Qaida leaders may try to hide in the countryside or perhaps to flee abroad, possibly to Iran or Pakistan or to Somalia or Sudan.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

If they reorganize in the south, we're going to go get them. If they go to ground, we will root them out. And if they decide to flee I doubt that they'll find peace wherever they select (to go).

///END ACTUALITY///

In addition to tracking down Taleban and al-Qaida leaders, Mr. Rumsfeld says other U-S goals include opening a land-bridge to Uzbekistan and repairing airfields near Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. He says the main purpose will be to increase humanitarian aid shipments for the Afghan people.

Despite his generally upbeat assessment, Mr. Rumsfeld cautions that the war on terrorism is far from over. He says it is not about one man or one terrorist network but a global problem that needs to be eliminated and cannot be ignored. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/MAR