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CNN Sunday Morning

Pentagon Officials Deny U.S. Bombs Struck Civilian Areas

Aired December 02, 2001 - 10:22   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: Pentagon officials are denying that the U.S. bombs did, in fact, strike civilian areas.

We want to get the latest on what is happening and for that we go to the Pentagon where CNN's Kathleen Koch is standing by with the Pentagon's reaction to today's accusations. Some very disturbing video there, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is Martin. It's very difficulty for anyone to see, and just a minor point of clarification while the Pentagon has denied that U.S. bombs inflicted any injuries in those civilian towns near Tora Bora, those strikes (ph) on Friday and Saturday. When it comes to the situation in Agan (ph) and the disturbing pictures that we just saw, the Pentagon has not yet responded to that. It is looking into the report of that particular incident, which does again include the possibility or the accusation that U.S. bombs hit an anti-Taliban headquarters there.

Now, the defense secretary was asked about this, this morning. He said the U.S. forces are bombing in Afghanistan in a way that it is precise and careful. He emphasized the fact that there are, what he says, a lot of people shooting in Afghanistan, firing a lot of ordinance, and a direct quote - quote -- "From time to time innocent people noncombatants will be killed and that that this unfortunate." Now, of course, the Pentagon is targeting that mountainous region south of Jalalabad because it believes there's a high likelihood that Osama bin Laden and top members of the al Qaeda movement could be hiding there. And defense secretary emphasized today that for anyone on the ground that this is a very risky time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: We are entering a very dangerous aspect of this conflict. There is no question about it. It is a confused situation in the country. The amount of real estate they have to operate on is continually been reduced. The noose is tightening, but the remaining task is a particularly dirty and unpleasant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Now, as Walt Rodgers reported earlier, more than 1,000 U.S. Marines are still dug in, at ready and near this airfield about 65 miles south of Kandahar. A very critical crossroad city where initially their primary goal was to stop the ability to move of the Taliban and the al Qaeda freely throughout Afghanistan. Again, new helicopters new detachments have come in. We have got more Cobra attack helicopters, Hughes, Super Stallion, Sea Knights.

All those joining the area from the 26th Marine expeditionary unit out from USS Bataan in the Arabian Sea. And the Marines have confirmed, now, for the first time that they are being joined there on the ground by military liaisons from Great Britain, from Germany and from Australia helping to coordinate the allied functions in the area. And one top Marine official, this morning, saying also that he believes that the situation in Kandahar may be reaching, what they call, a culmination point -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Kathleen Koch joining us with the view from the Pentagon. Thank you.

KOCH: You're Welcome.

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