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American Morning

Special Forces Moving From Tora Bora

Aired December 28, 2001 - 08:18   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now let's move onto America's New War. The military presence in Kandahar is growing as operations near Tora Bora appear to be winding down.

Our Bill Hemmer joins us again from Kandahar with the latest from there -- Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, thanks. We want to cover three things right now. First you mentioned Tora Bora. What we heard earlier today from our crews on the ground there, CNN's Nic Robertson and Walt Rodgers working the scene in the northeastern section of the White Mountains of Tora Bora, they indicate they spotted about a couple of dozen, maybe 25 U.S. special forces, basically packing up and heading out in a rather large convoy taking out equipment and supplies and it would lead one to believe that some aspect of the Special Forces are pulling out of Tora Bora ending their operation there.

It could be, however, that they're just packing up and moving to another location. The complete answer and the final answer, they're a bit difficult to ascertain at this time. Meanwhile back here in Kandahar, I want to talk about the latest round of detainees -- about 25 were brought in again overnight late last night, led into a detention compound that continues to be added on, on a daily basis. We saw a couple of watch towers go up in four different corners of this rather large square area where the detainees are being held.

The sources at the base indicate to us that this latest group did again come from near the Afghan-Pakistan border, but when asked about nationalities, they would not confirm where they came from, only to say that al Qaeda and the network stretches in about 60 different nations around the world and some of these detainees came from a number of different locations. Also and asked whether or not they're giving up information, they say some are willing to talk, but all they say are scared to death in the words of one agent investigating here on the ground.

They also say the ultimate question as to the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden still not confirmed; still no answer; still no given as to where the terror mastermind may or may not be; whether he's dead or alive in Afghanistan or out of this particular country. Also on that note, later tonight we do anticipate the strong possibility more detainees may come in here. Right now 62 is the total and holding there. Also more base news to talk about, the marines took this place about two weeks ago. Right now about 1800 strong on the marine category, but overnight last night, a very long and loud night, with quite a few aircraft touching down, dropping off supplies for the U.S. Army. We do anticipate some time in mid January the U.S. Army to come here completely and relieve the marines, take the airport, expand into a much greater area.

Essentially what that will enable the U.S. military to do is to open up the runway for more humanitarian aid and also for the eventuality of peacekeepers (INAUDIBLE) here to this part of southern Afghanistan. That's the wrap in Kandahar on what's happening today. Miles, back to you now. We'll see you again shortly here and more talk about the U.S. Army and what their role may or may not be come mid January here.

O'BRIEN: All right, looking forward to that. Bill Hemmer, thank you very much, live from Kandahar.

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