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American Morning

New Year Begins With Marine Mission

Aired January 01, 2002 - 07:00   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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On this, the first day of the new year, many Americans now are focusing on what they hope is going to be a very bright future. From peace and food drops to patriotic parties, people across the country rang in the new year.

For some, the celebrations were an act of courage, an effort to show that the nation is standing strong in the face of terrorists. Security was tighter than ever, particularly in New York City, still recovering from the attacks of the September 11 tragedy.

For the nation and for its military men and women, though, the war of terrorism is not taking a holiday. A marine mission is right now under way. It is continuing in Afghanistan.

And we want to get the very latest on that situation from CNN's Bill Hemmer, who joins us now live this morning from Kandahar -- happy new year to you, Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Marty. Happy new year to you as we enter the year 2002.

And the Marines have confirmed with CNN ongoing right now several hundred Marines involved in an operation on the ground several miles from our location. We'll talk more about that in detail in a few moments here.

In addition to that, the governor of Kandahar, the Kandahar City and the district, apparently has given a five day ultimatum to about 1,500 Taliban fighters in the town of Bagrhan, long suspected to be the hideaway place right now for the Taliban founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Also, another round of detainees, Marty. Last night 25 more came in. We will tell you what is distinctive about this group and a lot more when we come back here in a few minutes time.

Back to you now for the latest developments there in Atlanta. Happy new year to you, as well, Marty.

SAVIDGE: Thank you, Bill, very much.

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