Military

DATE= 3/4/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHAN/WAR (L)

NUMBER=2-287142

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: ///eds: updates previous cr's slugged Afghan/Pentagon///

INTRO: Heavy fighting is raging in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan where U-S, Afghan and other coalition forces have launched "Operation Anaconda" aimed at squeezing the life out of a major concentration of al-Qaida and Taleban fighters. V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon there have been scores of casualties on both sides.

TEXT: Defense officials say the operation --- the biggest in the five month-old war --- had been weeks in the planning and was launched with tactical surprise.

But General Richard Myers, Chairman of the U-S military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the several hundred al-Qaida and Taleban fighters who are the target of the operation are well-entrenched. He says they are apparently determined to fight to the death.

///MYERS ACTUALITY///

We believe there are several hundred al-Qaida fighters holed up in the mountains, in the valleys and the cave complexes. They're well dug in, well reinforced, and apparently have lots of weapons. When we began this operation, we knew that the al Qaida and their supporters there would have two choices: to run or stay and fight. It seems they have chosen to stay and to fight to the last, and we hope to accommodate them.

///END ACTUALITY///

Military officials say it is unclear whether the al-Qaida are trying to protect anyone special, such as fugitive terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

But they describe the fighting as fierce. About two-thousand coalition forces are involved --- about half of them Afghan. General Tommy Franks, commander of U-S troops in Afghanistan, says some 800 to 900 American soldiers are involved. In addition, 100 to 200 Australian, Canadian, Danish, French, German and Norwegian troops are taking part.

General Franks indicates Afghan forces are encircling the area to prevent any escapes while the U-S and other coalition forces are carrying out the ground assaults on hostile positions.

The coalition forces are receiving support from bombers, fighters and helicopters. More than 350 bombs have been dropped. Most of the U-S fatalities so far have resulted from hostile fire aimed against helicopters.

General Franks says it is too soon to estimate when the operation will be over.

///FRANKS ACTUALITY///

The soldiers are performing great, the equipment is performing great. We just have a lot of work to do before we get this mission done.

///END ACTUALITY///

Earlier, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld rejected suggestions that this may be the last stand of hostile forces in Afghanistan. He says there are undoubtedly other pockets of resistance and predicts further major battles. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/MEM