Military

DATE=12/03/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/PENTAGON (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-283835

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S aircraft are again hammering the few remaining Taleban and al-Qaida targets around Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, and Jalalabad, in the east of the country. Despite the dwindling resistance, V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports, American pilots are still facing dangers.

TEXT: Since the U-S military operation in Afghanistan began nearly two months ago, no American combat aircraft are known to have been shot down.

But Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem, says U-S aircrews are exercising caution, because anti-aircraft weapons are still being fired at their planes.

/// STUFFLEBEEM ACTUALITY ///

Our aircrews are still flying prudently, because there are still surface-to-air, man-portable weapons that are being fired into the air.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Admiral Stufflebeem cannot say what types of weapons are being directed at U-S planes by Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist forces.

But he acknowledges they could include portable Stinger missiles given by the United States to Afghan forces fighting the Soviets during the 1980's.

/// STUFFLEBEEM ACTUALITY ///

I don't know the numbers of what might be a Stinger or a Russian variant of that, or what might even be just a rocket-propelled grenade, but they're shooting at aircraft.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

The latest U-S air-strikes have focused on Kandahar, the last remaining Taleban stronghold in southern Afghanistan. U-S bombs are also hitting cave and tunnel complexes near the eastern city of Jalalabad, where al-Qaida terrorist leaders are believed to have sought refuge.

Admiral Stufflebeem rejects claims U-S bombs have struck civilian targets near Jalalabad. He suggests such reports may have originated with local village leaders bribed by terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

/// STUFFLEBEEM ACTUALITY ///

We have heard anecdotal reports that this is an area where Osama bin Laden has been using some of his wealth to buy local village chieftains' support.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

As for the situation at Kandahar, the Pentagon official describes it as fluid. He says anti-Taleban forces are probing Taleban defenses, while consolidating firepower for a possible final all-out assault.

But he says there are also some negotiations going on with Taleban commanders for a possible surrender of the city. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/TW