Military

DATE= 5/3/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHAN/PENTAGON (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-289397

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Coalition forces in Afghanistan are conducting operations along the border with Pakistan to prevent Taleban and al-Qaida forces from re-grouping. V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon the sweep is being conducted in coordination with Pakistani forces.

TEXT: For days, senior U-S defense officials have declined to discuss publicly what American, British and other allied forces are doing in the rugged mountain area along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

But Friday, Brigadier General John Rosa of the Pentagon's joint staff finally broke the silence, laying out in broad terms the nature of the current mission, known as Operation Mountain Lion.

///ROSA ACTUALITY///

Coalition forces are operating along the border with Pakistan under Operation Mountain Lion, searching for al-Qaida and former Taleban while also trying to prevent the enemy from regrouping, moving and operating freely in this region as we eliminate their sanctuaries.

///END ACTUALITY///

General Rosa gave few additional details.

But he made clear the military activity is being carefully coordinated with Pakistani troops on the Pakistani side of the border.

///ROSA ACTUALITY///

We're coordinating and working every day hand-in-hand with the Pakistani forces.

///END ACTUALITY///

Despite some published suggestions this could be the last major operation of the now seven-month old military action in Afghanistan, General Rosa reported no significant fighting and no fresh evidence of any al-Qaida or Taleban build-up.

General Rosa said about seven-thousand U-S troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan. He said there are no plans to increase that troop level. He also said he is not aware of any plans by U-S allies to draw down their force levels in connection with the overall counter-terrorist mission known as Operation Enduring Freedom. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/RH