Military

DATE=11/16/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN / OSAMA WRAP (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-283256

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S officials believe a top official in Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network has been killed in American air-strikes in Afghanistan. More on that and the effort to destroy al-Qaida from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Pentagon officials believe top bin Laden aide Mohamed Atef was killed in a recent U-S bombing raid near Kabul. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says there is no confirmation but he describes intelligence reports on Atef's death as authoritative.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY 1 ///

Do I know for a fact that's the case, I don't. (But) the reports I have received seem authoritative.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mohamed Atef was considered Osama bin Laden's chief advisor on military matters and a suspected planner of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A daughter recently married one of bin Laden's sons.

As for bin Laden, Mr. Rumsfeld says he believes the terrorist leader remains in Afghanistan despite reports that he may have fled.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY 2 ///

I suspect he's still in the country, and needless to say if we knew his whereabouts, we would have him.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld, speaking to reporters while on a trip to a midwestern U-S military training facility, indicates U-S special forces operating inside Afghanistan are deeply involved in the hunt for the al-Qaida leader.

He gives few details but says American soldiers are interrogating Taleban and al-Qaida supporters being held by the opposition. He will not identify the detainees but hints some may be senior figures.

Mr. Rumsfeld says that overall, Afghanistan is becoming less and less hospitable for al-Qaida and the Taleban.

Pentagon officials now estimate the Taleban has lost control of more than two-thirds of the country. They also say opposition forces are busily reducing the remaining pockets of Taleban and al-Qaida resistance. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH