Military

DATE=12/27/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RED CROSS / AFGHANISTAN (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-284663

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The International Committee of the Red Cross, I-C-R-C, says it has been able to visit thousands of fighters captured in Afghanistan. Lisa Schlein reports from I-C-R-C headquarters in Geneva.

TEXT: Red Cross officials say, so far, their workers in Afghanistan have visited over 24-hundred detainees, including 16 Taleban and al-Qaida fighters who are being held at a U-S marine base near the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

I-C-R-C spokeswoman Antonella Notari says, in any conflict, the Red Cross considers the first visit with a prisoner of vital importance.

/// NOTARI ACT ///

That is when we take the full identity of the people detained. And that is a protection factor. As is well known in many conflicts throughout the world, is when we can register prisoners, it is much easier to follow up on them. It is also much easier to keep track. It is a guarantee against any disappearance or any detention incommunicado.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Notari made no comment about the prison conditions. She says Red Cross delegates discuss any problems in the treatment of prisoners with the authorities and make concrete recommendations on what has to be done.

Because of the shortages of supplies in Afghanistan, Ms. Notari says the Red Cross also is providing assistance to prisoners, particularly those held by the Northern Alliance.

/// 2ND NOTARI ACT ///

We are providing some medical supplies to the infirmaries that need to take care of sick or wounded prisoners and we are providing a few other items, including some food in some of the places where there are a high number of prisoners and where the detaining authorities are not in a position yet to look after them.

/// END ACT ///

In addition to those held in prison camps, I-C-R-C spokeswoman Notari says several captives, including the American Taleban fighter John Walker, are being detained on a ship off the coast of Pakistan.

The Red Cross visited Mr. Walker when he was held near the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Ms. Notari says delegates plan to visit him aboard the ship as soon as arrangements can be worked out with U-S officials. (Signed)

NEB/LS/KL/FC