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CNN Live At Daybreak

Look at Training Marines Get Before Strapping on 120-Pound Packs to Hunt Down Al Qaeda and Taliban

Aired May 16, 2002 - 05:35   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Those British troops are now in the thick of the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. Our Mike Boettcher looks at the training the Marines get before strapping on 120-pound packs to hunt down al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Americans have become accustomed to their forces leading the charge in the Gulf War, Kosovo, Bosnia and in a host of other conflicts. But these are not Americans.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: England.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: England.

BOETTCHER: They are British Royal Marine commandos who have taken over the heavy lifting of Operation Enduring Freedom. About 1,000 of them scoured in mountain ridges and valleys for almost two weeks. They return to base to rest and refit, but expect to soon be back on the hunt for holed up Taliban and al Qaeda. And they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) suggestions from some back home that they are somehow the "B" team, brought in to rest American troops during a relative quiet time.

Royal Marines point with pride to their training, some of the world's toughest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Way to go -- go, go, go.

BOETTCHER: Marine commando basic training is 30 weeks long; several weeks longer than basic for U.S. Marines. Drill instructors at their commando training center are unrelenting on a brutal obstacle track called the Tarzan Course (ph), they are exhorted to quicken their pace.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Speed up. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that rope in. Come on, move yourself.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Up we go then.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on Robinson (ph), speed up.

BOETTCHER: Some don't make it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you fit (ph) to continue with it in this course?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, sergeant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you sure?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sergeant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you got, injured?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cracked off a load (ph) this morning, sergeant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right -- stand over there. Get out.

BOETTCHER: Motivation is required to endure this. And according to the training school's commander, motivation is in plentiful supply since September 11th.

BRIG. ANDY PILLAR, BRITISH ROYAL MARINES: We felt that it was an attack, as I mentioned earlier, against civilized society and the West as a whole.

BOETTCHER: One other factor mad the Royal Marines attracted to coalition planners. Besides their extensive training and mountain war-fighting capability, few other forces have as much experience combating terrorism.

LT. COL. JOHN DAVIS, BRITISH ROYAL MARINES: We had experience -- direct experience at northern Ireland. And for some, on many occasions.

BOETTCHER: About six months ago, a Royal Marine troop was in Afghanistan three days after they graduated from the commando training center. Several of them are still in Afghanistan, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) through the mountains with 120-pound packs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we're going up, occasionally it's like that. And when we're going down, it's just like that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well I don't think this is going to be the end of anything, because it's just a start of getting down to world terrorism.

BOETTCHER: Back at the school, a new class has completed its course, joining only 6,000 or so others as Royal Marine commandos. They, too, can soon find themselves fighting the war against terror. The commandos say they are ready, firmly believing themselves to be the most effective force on terrorism's front line.

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Bagram, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about the stars. I'm not talking about "Star Wars." But many of Hollywood's brightest stars at the Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera.

CNN's Kendis Gibson joins us by phone from Cannes, with all the glitz, glamour, and of course, the gossip. Hey, how did you score this assignment?

KENDIS GIBSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The important part being (UNINTELLIGIBLE). But now I've got to tell you, you know, we are talking a little bit about "Star Wars," because the man of the day, George Lucas, is actually here in Cannes today and will be holding the premier of "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" a little bit later on today.

But, as you know, Woody Allen is really the toast of the town, because he really doesn't make that many appearances. But his movie "Hollywood's Ending" (ph) actually opened the film festival last night. And Woody said, you know, in the press conference, he thought the Cannes audience would really appreciate the movie because it makes fun of Hollywood's need and obsessing with success.

He got here last night, of course, with his wife, Soon-Yi, and this year's special jury panel, that includes the likes of Sharon Stone, David Lynch, the man who made "Mulholland Drive" and "Blue Velvet." And also actress Michelle Yo (ph) from "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon."

Now this year around the international festival has some 21 films in competition. They whittled down to 21 from some 3,000 movies that were submitted and reviewed. And it is an all-time high for the film festival. But, as I mentioned, today is going to be a big day for George Lucas here on the Riviera because he premiers "The Attack of the Clones."

But in the days ahead, the red carpet of the Palais, the Palace, will be star-packed. Halle Berry is going to be here, along with Pierce Brosnan, to promote their new "Bond" film that's coming up. Cameron Diaz and Leo DiCaprio are also among the many stars that are expected to be here. It is only the first day, Carol, so the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) haven't really squeaked out as yet, but will.

COSTELLO: Hey, Kendis, I wanted to ask you more about Woody Allen. This is the first time he has ever been at Cannes. Why did he decide to go this year?

GIBSON: Well, you know, he kind of -- the funny man actually got kind of serious, because he said that ever since September 11th he wanted to actually get out and do things to support New York. You know he really makes an appearance at the Oscars, but did so this year. And is making this appearance here.

He says he felt it's important to get out and do things that support the city. And thinks his movie, which is as typical Woody Allen movies are, is a very New York movie. And he thinks that will help support the city (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COSTELLO: Well we also heard that the American Jewish Congress was planning a protest. Woody Allen is not going to participate in that. Why?

GIBSON: Yeah, Carol, you're right. The American Jewish Congress that called for a boycott -- they're asking stars and movie execs to boycott because of, you know, what they feel is anti-Semitic sentiment in Cannes, ever since the strong support, you will recall last month, for Jean-Marie Le Pen in the French presidential election. So far, though, I've got to tell you, we haven't seen too much evidence of boycotts. But they have called for that.

COSTELLO: All right. Kendis Gibson reporting live from Cannes. Lucky you. Thank you for joining us this morning on DAYBREAK -- we sure appreciate it.

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