DATE=05/05/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09864

TITLE=EDITORIAL: AFGHAN SECURITY

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: In Afghanistan, military operations against al-Qaida terrorists and remnants of Taleban forces continue. And as U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, "It is still dangerous."

About seven-thousand U.S. troops are now in Afghanistan. Some are conducting sweeps through different parts of the country. Tunnels, caves, and other sensitive sites are being visited. Intelligence information is being recovered and evaluated. U.S. and coalition forces are continuing to detain and arrest suspected al-Qaida terrorists and their Taleban allies.

According to news reports, British troops are now deployed in a mountainous area in southeastern Afghanistan that may have been an al-Qaida base. There is also a buildup of coalition forces along the border with Pakistan.

Some remnants of the former Taleban regime and some al-Qaida terrorists may have left the country, trying to hide across the border in Pakistan or Iran. The goal, said Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, "has been to kill or capture all of them and we've been hard at it and we intend to stay at it until it's done." The process is difficult because Afghanistan has porous borders. But as Mr. Rumsfeld put it, "the fact that it is difficult does not mean that it can't be done and it certainly does not mean we're going to stop trying to do it."

Afghan security is a primary concern of the U.S.-led coalition. An international security force patrols Kabul, the Afghan capital. Turkey has announced that it will assume control of the security force, a role formerly held by Britain. Germany has taken over the organizing and training of a new Afghan police force.

Progress is also being made in funding and training a national Afghan army. As Mr. Rumsfeld said, "The development of a national army is not an easy task." But the United States and other coalition members are committed to helping the Afghan government get it done.

The campaign against al-Qaida in Afghanistan is far from over. But as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, "Notwithstanding the periodic flare-ups, the security situation in the country is generally good and seems to be improving."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.