Military

DATE= 1/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHAN/DETAINEES (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-285091

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

///Resending to correct catalog number and rename Slug- no other changes///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S military authorities have begun the process of transferring Taleban and al-Qaida detainees from Afghanistan to the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: The first batch of detainees were seen hooded and chained as they assembled at Kandahar airport under heavy guard for the flight to Cuba. Some reports said they may have been sedated for the lengthy trip.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says only that appropriate restraint is being used. He defends the extraordinary security precautions in place for the transfer, calling some of the detainees dangerous people.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

There are among these prisoners people who are perfectly willing to kill themselves and kill other people.

///END ACTUALITY///

Mr. Rumsfeld notes Taleban and al-Qaida detainees were involved in a bloody prison uprising in Mazar-i-Sharif. Others were involved in a shoot-out with Pakistani guards. Still another blew himself up.

During an exchange with Pentagon reporters following a meeting with Australia's visiting Defense Minister, Mr. Rumsfeld also paid tribute to the seven U-S military personnel killed in the crash of their tanker aircraft in Pakistan.

He says there is no indication of any hostile fire or foul play in the incident. But he says the latest deaths underscore the dangers of the anti-terrorism campaign.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

The mission in Afghanistan remains difficult and remains dangerous. We have said that repeatedly. It is a fact and it will continue to be a fact during the weeks and months ahead.

///END ACTUALITY///

Meanwhile, Mr. Rumsfeld is declining to discuss intelligence information the United States reportedly has about possible links between al-Qaida terrorists and Iran.

///REST OPTIONAL///

But he notes Iran is on the U-S list of state sponsors of terrorism, that it neighbors Afghanistan and that there has been movement across in the border in recent times.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

I would prefer that countries not harbor terrorists and that countries not provide haven for al-Qaida and that they not support terrorist networks.

///END ACTUALITY///

On another issue, Mr. Rumsfeld confirms more U-S troops are helping in the training of anti-terrorism forces in the Philippines. He says the government there is attempting to deal seriously with the problem posed by terrorists who have in some cases seized hostages. (Signed)

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