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CNN Sunday Morning

United States Marines Poised to Strike from Inside Afghanistan.

Aired December 02, 2001 - 10:18   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.
SAVIDGE: United States Marines are poised to strike from their base inside of Afghanistan. That is where the battle for Kandahar continues among anti-Taliban forces squeezing the Taliban.

CNN's Walter Rodgers has been covering the conflict as a pool reporter in southern Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A U.S. Marine intelligence officer today compared the coming battle for Kandahar to a snake. In his words, "The Taliban is feeling a lot of pressure squeezing in on them," and he added, "We hope to get them out of there in the near future." Marine Major Bow Hagen (ph) said the struggle for Kandahar is reaching - quote - "a culmination point."

He said that the Taliban's stronghold is seeing a lot of forces coming into play. Afghan opposition groups from the north moving towards Kandahar. Others, he said, coming up from the south and he added, "Us, the Marines, coming potentially from where we are."

There has been, as yet, no firm decision to commit the U.S. Marines to the coming battle for Kandahar. Indeed, the Marines are still standing off at a fair distance. But the Marine buildup continues. One officer said, "You see more Marines coming in, our perimeter is secured." He said, "You see more and more helicopters. We're definitely prepared," he added, "for what lies ahead."

Overnight, the compliment of Marine helicopters nearly doubled, both attack and support choppers. No one is talking about the specifics of any upcoming military operations. Still, the anticipation is building.

At Protestant and Roman Catholic Church services, this Sunday, most prayed to be delivered from the evil in the coming days. And now, when you ask the Marines what they're expecting. One captain told me - quote - "We are here for a purpose. We'll tell you after we do it."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: That report from CNN's Walter Rodgers in southern Afghanistan TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com