Military

DATE=11/29/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/MASSACRE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-283677

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon is denying reports of a massacre of 160 Taleban prisoners by opposition forces in southern Afghanistan. Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon.

TEXT: Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke says extensive U-S investigations indicate reports of the alleged massacre are simply not credible.

/// CLARKE ACT ///

There have been reports of a massacre of 160 prisoners by opposition forces. We have worked really hard to run this one to ground and the reports are just not believable.

/// END ACT ///

The reports earlier this week quoted a local Pashtun commander as saying the Taleban prisoners were executed after refusing to surrender in an incident between the southern city of Kandahar and the Pakistani border.

The commander also said several U-S military personnel were present and tried unsuccessfully to prevent the executions.

Pentagon spokeswoman Clarke acknowledges U-S soldiers were in the area, but says they reported no such incident.

/// CLARKE ACT ///

A U-S liaison team is on the ground with opposition forces in the area. The team has not reported the capture of more than a handful of prisoners. Additionally the team has not reported any information about improper treatment of prisoners and would certainly do so...

/// END ACT ///

The denial was issued prominently at the beginning of the Pentagon's daily briefing on military operations in Afghanistan.

It reflects U-S concern that international support for those operations could be seriously damaged if anti-Taleban forces are linked to revenge killings and other human rights violations. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/RAE