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Pentagon Denies That Error Led to Osama bin Laden's Escape

Aired April 17, 2002 - 13:12   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: At the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is discounting claims of a U.S. tactical error that allowed Osama bin Laden to escape from Tora Bora. For more now, we turn to CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. And, Barbara, I saw you in that briefing asking very direct questions to the secretary of defense.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld held a news conference that lasted for nearly an hour. And he addressed several questions, but topping the list was the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.

Now, the secretary insisted that the U.S. military has never had credible reports about bin Laden's whereabouts, reports that would allow them to take any action to go after bin Laden. He called it pure speculation that bin Laden was in the Tora Bora cave region in early December when the U.S. air assault began there. But other administration officials say that now, as a result of interrogation of several detainees, independent interrogation of these men, that they are all telling the same story, that bin Laden was in Tora Bora in early December, and that he slipped away, most likely with the help of local Afghans.

The secretary's press conference also dealt with another matter. He talked about a new, major reorganization plan for the U.S. military. He unveiled a new plan which will establish for the first time a so-called northern command for the U.S. military. This will provide military support for homeland defense in the event of another terrorist attack, if there is a nuclear, chemical or biological attack.

Now, a lot of this may seem like bureaucracy to most Americans, but the secretary said this is the most important major reorganization of the U.S. military in decades. And he said after September 11, now, this will help the military be more prepared to support civil authorities in the event of another disaster in the United States -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Barbara, what about the special forces member that was shot and wounded? A hit-and-run attack, I understand.

STARR: Yes. That was earlier today in downtown Kandahar. A U.S. soldier was shot in what the military is describing as a drive-by shooting. The soldier was shot in the face. We are told it is not life threatening. He's getting medical treatment and he is expected to recover at this time. But, sources say this is another indication, of course, Afghanistan remains a very unsettled place.

PHILLIPS: Well-taken point. Barbara Starr from the Pentagon, thank you very much.

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