Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

U.S. and Opposition Forces Detain 189 in Kandahar

Aired January 01, 2002 - 11:02   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 ANCHOR: Now on to Afghanistan, where a deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines are combing through a large walled compound near Kandahar. CNN's Bill Hemmer is in Kandahar and filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Another night and another round of detainees -- the latest round bringing in 25 detainees, bringing the total here now to 189. We're told what's significant about this latest group is that all 25 were picked up, detained and processed in Pakistan. We are also told that the 189 being held here, the large majority is said to be young men in their early 20s who are scared about their fate and their future here in Afghanistan.

On another note, the U.S. Marines confirm an ongoing operation right now involving several hundred Marines in the Hellman Province. We are told the operation still is outstanding, and Marines hope to conclude that operation by the time the sun comes up early Wednesday morning here.

We are told the target is more intelligence and more information on Taliban and al Qaeda leadership, specifically on a rather large compound involving 14 different areas or buildings in the Province of Hellman. We are also told there has been no hostile fire and no combat for the Marines involved on this mission.

Finally, a symbol of unity here at the airport earlier today -- the flag of the United States raised parallel with the flag of Afghanistan. The governor is here today, so is the general commanding the task force here of the Marines at the airport, indicating that as long as the U.S. flag is raised, the Afghan flag will be raised right along with it.

With the U.S. Marines, Bill Hemmer, CNN reporting 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.