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CNN Saturday Morning News

Is U.S. Close to Capturing bin Laden?

Aired December 15, 2001 - 09:34   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We were talking about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. The caves of Tora Bora have been a hot topic of conversation.

We go live now to our Nic Robertson, who does have the latest from that region -- Nic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A single bomb breaks the mountain silence. Above the impact, smoke and dust climb skyward. On the ground below, no one observing from this distance can know what's happening.

In the air, more bombers circle, awaiting targets. Higher still, according to the Pentagon, U-2 spy planes scour the rugged mountain terrain for clues. Was the target hit? And are they one step closer to capturing Osama bin Laden?

During the day, lulls in bombing often lapsed into lengthy gaps between detonations. Despite the relative quiet, local commanders barred the international media from the front lines. Once beyond the tightly controlled checkpoint, however, mujahideen fighters could be found gathering firewood from crater-ridden bomb sites, a far cry from the columns of captured al Qaeda fighters local commanders have said could emerge from the mountains before sunset.

But the mujahideen fighters feel safe here, a front line area until recently an indication al Qaeda forces are being pushed back.

(on camera): Without accurate information from the bomb blasted mountain tops and cave systems, it is impossible to tell how the al Qaeda fighters are faring. What is clear is the territory they can call their own is gradually being eroded.

(voice-over): Intercepted al Qaeda walkie-talkie transmissions indicate a group under immense pressure, preoccupied with their own survival. Hints too of casualties and shortages of ammunition.

And then the lull ends, and so the cycle continues, squeezing ever harder the unseen fighters below.

Nic Robertson, CNN, near Tora Bora, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, as you can see, our Nic Robertson was not live there, but that story was filed just moments ago.

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