Military

DATE= 12/05/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-283891

TITLE=AFGHAN / FIGHTING (S)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Opposition forces are reported to have advanced, unopposed, on

suspected mountain hideouts of Osama bin Laden in eastern Afghanistan.

As Ayaz Gul reports from neighboring Pakistan, a Pashtun tribal leader

says his forces are nearing the gates of the Taleban's stronghold on Kandahar, in

the south.

TEXT: Reports say anti-Taleban forces have taken some areas around Tora

Bora in eastern Afghanistan, where members of Al-Qaida group are believed to be hiding in mountain caves. An anti-Taleban leader (Hazarat Ali) is quoted as

saying his fighters are preparing for a final assault to flush out Osama bin Laden's fighters from the area.

There is no independent confirmation of the claim.

Meanwhile, the man picked to head Afghanistan's interim government for six months says he is trying to avoid bloodshed. Pashtun tribal chief Hamid Karzai told V-O-A his men are on the outskirts of Kandahar, the Taleban's stronghold in the south. Mr.

Karazai says his negotiating with some of the city's defenders.

//KARZAI ACTUALITY//

We are in touch with the Taleban for quite a few days now and I hope

our negotiations will be fruitful.

//END ACTUALITY//

Mr. Karazai says his forces are trying to give the Taleban as much time

as possible, because they want to prevent bloodshed. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/WD