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CNN Live Today

Few Details Emerging Regarding Death of Soldier

Aired May 20, 2002 - 12:05   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To the war in Afghanistan now, new details about an attack that claimed the life of another U.S. soldier.

Mike Boettcher now, standing by live at Bagram Air Base to bring us the very latest on what he is hearing and understanding there in northern Afghanistan -- Mike, good evening to you.

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, flags have been flying at half-staff all day at Bagram Air Base, the head of the coalition here in Afghanistan. But very few details are released on Special Forces operations in this country. We do know that this Special Forces soldier was operating in southeast Afghanistan very close to the Pakistan border. He came under heavy fire and was killed.

Now today, at the daily press briefing, Bryan Hilferty, a major who is a spokesman for the coalition here, was asked if the mood on the base and throughout Afghanistan with coalition forces had changed because of this death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. BRYAN HILFERTY, U.S. ARMY: I'm not sure the mood has changed. I think all the soldiers here and even the civilians who are supporting us, we all understand this is a dangerous business. This is a war. The United States and I think the civilization is at war against terrorism. So we realize there are risks, we realize there are going to be casualties. So one casualty doesn't deter us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOETTCHER: Now today we joined Operation Condor, which is spearheaded by British forces, British Royal Marine commandos, in that same area. It is a very rugged terrain. We flew over it and then we landed. It's very difficult to search that terrain, as the British soldiers told us who were up there at the present time.

They've been up there for four days, ever since Australian Special Forces troops came under fire Thursday afternoon. And they have not seen one sign of al Qaeda or Taliban, although they are sure they are out there. They believe that the al Qaeda and Taliban do not want to confront them directly. That they perhaps are moving to a guerrilla hit and run tactic -- Bill. HEMMER: Mike, when you talk about the suspected Taliban or al Qaeda fighters who may be there in eastern Afghanistan, is there ever any number that is thrown down or thrown around that may give you a better indication of how many may be amassed there?

BOETTCHER: No, Bill, I haven't heard a number. I've heard words like significant. I think part of it depends on kind of the ebb and flow, where they are coming from in the mountains.

Today was at a place that has been strategic in all Afghan wars. It was called the "gold road" by the British Royal Marines there. And it is the place that before and after Operation Anaconda, which occurred last winter -- that was the big operation in which the U.S. says it killed many al Qaeda fighters -- they use that road to supply al Qaeda fighters and then to retreat. That road leads toward Pakistan.

Now you have a force of about 500 royal marines there. It's rugged territory, and you can't really block that off. And when they leave, it becomes then the sort of trail for al Qaeda and Taliban. So the numbers go up and down, and it is very hard to determine nationwide. I have talked to troops who say they have gone into villages and the villagers warmly greet them. But they are not so sure what they do after they leave -- Bill.

HEMMER: Mike, thanks. Mike Boettcher again reporting live in northern Afghanistan. The latest on the news there on the ground.

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