Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Number of Detainees Rises to 391 at Kandahar Facility

Aired January 12, 2002 - 16:01   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, let's begin with developments on the war front in Afghanistan. And CNN's Bill Hemmer is tracking all the day's activities, and has this report from Kandahar.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The Kandahar Air Base continues to look like the jumping off point from all detainees shipped to Cuba. Early Saturday, 30 more came in, bringing the total now to 391. And just as important for this airfield, the airstrip itself now capable to handle a C-141, that's the kind of aircraft to help complete the first leg to Guantanamo Bay on Friday. That runway after significant repairs now extended 6,000 feet after some repairs were completed this past week.

Also, a sad reminder for the Marines here at Kandahar.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daniel Stephen Scott (ph).

HEMMER: A memorial and prayer service held for the seven Marines who lost their lives in Pakistan on Wednesday evening. Six men and one woman died in that fiery plane crash in the rugged terrain of the southwestern area of Pakistan. The Pentagon says it has ruled out the possibility of enemy fire, but the recovery process is said to be ongoing.

Also, more fallout from the Marine firefight on Thursday night. A search of the ground in the air on Friday found shell casings and a few rocket-propelled grenades left behind. The Marines say they were left and abandoned in a hurry.

Also, more importantly, the Marines now say they know the hiding places of the enemy, and they know where the opposition forces have gone.

Also, the 101st Airborne Division continues to trickle in, and the colonel for that group met with reporters today. He says the air base will continue to be secure by the Army. Once again, they take over here in force.

COL. FRANK WIERCINSKI, U.S. ARMY: Well, clearly, the Marines have done a superb job in getting here and securing this air base initially. Obviously, it was in a great state of disrepair when they came in. They have made incredible improvements up to this point in time. And as we flow in with the remainder of our troops, we intend to improve every day, improve on security, improve on defense, improve on infrastructure, improve on the logistics here for sustainment of operations for us so that we can live healthfully and survive. And those types of things.

I mean, the Marines have been doing it now for a while. We plan to pick up and just run with that ball as it continues.

HEMMER: Within two weeks' time, up to 2,500 soldiers will be based here in Kandahar, thus relieving the U.S. Marines, and their duties and responsibilities will continue to be securing this air base and also keep security of the detention facility here in Kandahar.

Bill Hemmer, CNN, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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