Military

DATE=3/25/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/ARMY (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-287976

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S troops will soon begin training an Afghan army intended to maintain internal security and provide border protection. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: The Pentagon plan calls for about 125 to 150 U-S Army Special Forces soldiers to begin an 18-month series of training programs for Afghan troops.

Pentagon officials say the emphasis will be on basic soldiering skills at the start of each 10-week-long training cycle. They say there also will be a special program to train Afghan officers and senior enlisted personnel, who will eventually take over the training responsibilities.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the plan is a further indication that U-S forces do not intend to pull out of Afghanistan suddenly.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY ///

We, needless to say, do not want to leave abruptly in a way that could inject instability into the situation, which is why we are working with the interim government to see if we can be helpful in getting their army going and up to speed.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld says the total size of the future Afghan army remains under discussion. He also says the United States is talking with other countries on contributing funds and personnel for the training program.

Mr. Rumsfeld notes the United States also plans to work with the governments of Georgia and Yemen to train and equip their anti-terrorist forces.

He says the U-S government wants to prevent the creation of new havens for terrorist networks, and to avoid the need to send U-S troops into any future battles against terrorists. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/KPD