DATE=03/24/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ANTHRAX / AFGHANISTAN

NUMBER=2-287930

BYLINE=JESSICA BERMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTRO: The head of the U-S Central Command in Afghanistan Sunday confirmed reports that American forces uncovered 50 or 60 sites where al-Qaida terrorists tried to develop weapons of mass destruction. VOA'S Jessica Berman has more.

TEXT: Appearing on the N-B-C television program "Meet the Press, General Tommy Franks said followers of Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network were unsuccessful in achieving their goal.

// FRANKS ACTUALITY //

What we have found in several sites is evidence of the attempt we have not yet found a place where we see weaponized weapons of mass destruction, weaponized meaning the capability to create the ingredient and then put it in some form of delivery. We have not found that in Afghanistan.

// END ACTUALITY //

In a separate interview on "Fox News Sunday", Attorney General John Ashcroft said authorities said while there's no significant progress in tracking down those responsible for last fall's anthrax attacks, authorities continue to focus on individuals in the United States.(SIGNED)

NEB/jb/MEM