Military

DATE=12/09/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=US/AFGHAN (L)

NUMBER=2-284068

BYLINE=JIM MALONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: America's top military officer says U-S forces know in general where Osama bin Laden is hiding in eastern Afghanistan. Air Force General Richard Myers, chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the comment on U-S television Sunday. Correspondent Jim Malone has details.

TEXT: General Myers told Fox television that the United States is making what he called "modest gains" in the hunt for Osama bin Laden and members of his al-Qaida terrorist network.

General Myers says U-S-led alliance forces are encountering fierce resistance from al-Qaida members near the eastern town of Tora Bora.

/// MYERS ACT ///

In the hunt up there, we think we know in general where he is. (We) Can't be sure. But we think we know. And we are approaching it from a couple of different directions. One is, we have got opposition folks that are prosecuting the war against the al-Qaida up there in the hills. The fighting has been very, very intense. We also have some small number of U-S forces up there that are trying to get their eyes onto some of these targets, so they can help either the opposition or help our air strikes on those locations.

/// END ACT ///

General Myers was quick to add, however, that the United States does not have absolute proof of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts, nor those of Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Deputy U-S Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says U-S commanders on the ground are constantly sifting through numerous reports from sources who have reported spotting Osama bin Laden. He was interviewed on A-B-C's This Week program.

/// WOLFOWITZ ACT ///

We are looking as hard as we can. We are tracing every report that comes our way. I think people need to understand that most of these reports have the quality of rumor, and if all the rumors concentrate in a certain area, you tend to think that is where they probably are. But these are people on the run. I think that is the important thing. People with a price on their head, people who are going to have great difficulty carrying out or planning any additional terrorist acts.

/// END ACT ///

General Myers also says that U-S Marines are having success in preventing Taleban and al-Qaida forces from fleeing southern Afghanistan into neighboring Pakistan. (Signed)

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