Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Sniper Fire Erupted at Kandahar Airport

Aired January 11, 2002 - 07:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Paula, we turn once again to the war in Afghanistan. And sniper fire erupted at the Kandahar Airport shortly after a plane carrying 20 Taliban and al Qaeda detainees took off for the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. No U.S. casualties were reported, but American troops had been working to secure the perimeter of the airport. CNN's Bill Hemmer joins us live from Kandahar with more.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, hello, and good evening from Kandahar once again. The most significant security threat to this base since the Marines first came here back in the first part of December carried out on a night when the first shipment of U.S. detainees - 20 in all - were set off for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Let's take you back now about 20 hours. This was the scene, as we saw it, inside the airport terminal for three to three and a half hours. An exchange of fire; outside flares thrown into the air, white at times, red at other times; Marine helicopters, the covert gun ships in the air, also, they say they received small arms fire directed at the pilots inside there. However, they did not return fire.

Earlier today when the sun came up special forces went back to that area. They say they found no one and there were also no reports of any injured or killed on either side. Also, today, we were at the perimeter talking with Marines who were involved in that fire fight. They say they were fired upon first but then quickly returned fire last night. They say it was an action-packed night in their fire holes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LANCE CPL. MATTHEW WICHARD, U.S. MARINE: We saw machine gun fire, tracers, and I kept in my hole and was ready to go. I couldn't see anything, so I got back out and popped a flare of my own and then I saw three people run, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fire. I saw the muzzle blast; I saw their general area. I fired towards them and then they ran off again, so...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Again, at this time, it's worth repeating there seems to be somewhat of a discrepancy in the timeline here. U.S. central command in Tampa indicating that the plane left, and 15 minutes later, after it had cleared the airspace in Kandahar the gunfire was noted here. However, we can say, in talking with several Marines and several members of the U.S. Army, they indicate exactly the opposite. They say the gunfire erupted right before the plane took off.

Suffice it to say, bottom line here, whatever the facts are, the first shipment of detainees went out on the same night the biggest security threat hit this airport. And, once again, I mentioned in the last hour there's a possibility more detainees may be flown to Cuba later tonight. I am told that is not the plan now. That has been scratched. There will be no flights at Guantanamo Bay originating here in Kandahar later this evening - Anderson.

COOPER: Bill, just one question. What are we learning about the process of shipping the other detainees?

HEMMER: Pretty interesting information, now. We watched it last night here at the base. We now know, as we reported yesterday, they're shaven. Their heads and their beards - the coveted al Qaeda beard is taking off of them for hygiene purposes. They're also deloused; they're dressed in orange jumpers.

And those jumpers, Anderson, are treated with insect repellent so that no insects are transported half way around the world to Cuba. We're also told they wear orange knit hats and goggles that are taped to protect them from seeing anything on the ground as they're transported inside those planes. And also as another security precaution, they're given mittens around their hands. Not gloves or not anything that will allow them to grip or grab anything. Mittens, to make sure their hands are kept free.

It was tight security last night. Very deliberate movements. And, apparently, based on what we can tell inside the plane, anyway, everything came off without a hitch. Again, that's inside the plane, not outside in the air base - Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Bill Hemmer, thanks very much. You did a great job reporting, literally, around the clock for us from Kandahar, Afghanistan - Paula.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com