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American Morning

Conflicting Information Coming Out About Elusive Taliban Leader

Aired January 04, 2002 - 08:02   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Afghanistan, there is some conflicting information coming out about the elusive Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar. But several Afghan officials are telling us that he is still on the run.

CNN's Bill Hemmer is not running right now. He is standing still. You see him there on the screen. He is checking in now with the latest developments in the hunt for Omar -- Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Leon -- thanks again.

First, I want to start with this military attack that took place late last night. About 1:05 a.m., we could hear those jet planes streaking through the sky, the distance nighttime sky here. We knew something was up, but we weren't quite sure until we woke up several hours later. But this is what we understand. The Pentagon says it carried out attacks in the area of Khowst, that's in eastern Afghanistan. They say some al Qaeda fighters have resurfaced there. They say they were watching it for some quite some time.

Here is what happened: F-14s, F-18s, AC-130 gunships started pounding this area of Khowst. Again, this area has been hit twice in the past, dating back to the 7th of October. It is also the same location where Tomahawk cruise missiles took aim back in 1998, that following reprisals for the bombings in East Africa back in August of 1998. Again, a ferocious attack, about 100 bombs dropped last night. Still now word on the battle damage on the ground there, possibly the Pentagon has more clarification on that a bit later today.

Now, Leon, back to the issue topic A here, Omar: the hunt for Mullah Mohammed Omar. Where is he, and what's the truth and what is not? What we understand, again right now, according to Kandahar officials that Mullah Mohammed Omar still holed up somewhere in northern Helmand Province, probably around the area of Baghran, a town in the northern section of that province. We understand also, through the Kandahar governor, 1,500 loyal Taliban fighters surrounding him possibly.

And an ultimatum has been given, a deadline for those fighters to turn themselves in and surrender, but no way to know right now whether or not that is working on the ground. And also, there are reports that Omar has been given a deadline as well. But once again, as you remember throughout this entire campaign, the deadlines seem rather fluid in this country. They have shifted numerous times, either forward and backwards, and at this point, a bit difficult to say right now what is true truth on the ground in southern Afghanistan.

On another front back at the base here, we all know the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army will take this base, once the Marines hand it over, in about a week or two weeks' time, right around mid-January. The transitional teams right now are here at the base talking about that transition, and we do anticipate the Army to take more control over the detainee issue here. In addition, they'll pave the road later for humanitarian flights and U.N. peacekeepers at some point to come into this part of Afghanistan.

As I mentioned, the detainees, 250 now the number; 25 more brought in last night here in Kandahar. The Marines indicate they've expanded their facility. Right now, they can take as many as 400. And we also anticipate, possibly in about two weeks' time, that facility to expand once again to even 500 detainees here. Now again, I mention the number 250, and just to make sure everything is straight on this. There are more detainees in other parts of the region, eight on board the USS Batton, including the American, 20-year-old John Walker, and a few others scatted out in the northern part of Afghanistan.

In addition to that, we've got more in Pakistan as well, possibly they could come here. So the list, we anticipate, could grow and will grow, possibly on a nightly basis.

Finally here, let's talk about the street sweeper. You know, for so often, we have talked about the dust here in Kandahar. We are sitting on the edge of a desert. They have brought in, the U.S. military, specifically the Air Force, a huge street sweeper. I call it the Desert Zambonie (ph). It tries to pick up as much material as it can from not only the surrounding area, but certainly the runway too, which is so critical to keep things clean so the jet engines can run and the propellers can roll at the proper rate and the proper speed. Well, it tries to pick up the dust. Plus, as we can tell though, every couple of hours the dust comes back. It seems like it's a never-ending project here.

However, a short time ago, I walked over there to see if any of the dust was getting picked up. It appears to be OK right now, but tomorrow is another day, and that thing runs literally 12 hours a day. The Desert Zambonie here in Kandahar -- Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: I'll tell you, that's a strange idea is out there trying to sweep up the dust. That's like taking a mop to the beach if you ask me. Well, let me ask you one question, Bill. What is the possible scenario that you're hearing about there for the capture of Omar? Have you heard of any ideas about how it may all play out?

HEMMER: Yes, a lot of this is speculation, Leon. But if, indeed, he were apprehended, it is not necessarily likely that he would be brought here to the Kandahar Airport. When you consider you've already got 250 detainees. The number is going to escalate. We all know that. It would be a logistical difficult problem here to bring Omar to this particular airport. In all likelihood if he is apprehended, if he is arrested by U.S. forces, he would be brought to a ship now floating in the Arabian Sea. Which one is anyone's guess, because there are dozens right now.

And I as mentioned before, the USS Batton now has about eight. That number could change at any point as well, but that is what we're hearing right now, Leon, if indeed that scenario were to develop. Not here, but rather safe on a ship at sea. Security always a consideration on this matter -- Leon.

HARRIS: Definitely, definitely. All right, thanks very much, Bill -- Bill Hemmer reporting to us now from the evening there in Kandahar Afghanistan -- we'll check back with him later on.

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