HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.nj.com/breakingnews/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?a0503_BC_Afghanistan&&news&tradecentercrash Allied fighters begin new offensive against Taliban, al-Qaida; Karzai leaves to collect former king By MICHELLE BOORSTEIN The Associated Press 4/16/02 5:55 AM BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) -- U.S.-led forces have launched their first major combat operation in a month against Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives in eastern Afghanistan, officials announced Tuesday. Elsewhere, U.S. authorities said all personnel were accounted for after a Monday munitions explosion that killed four American soldiers and wounded a fifth. In Kabul, meanwhile, interim leader Hamid Karzai flew to Rome to accompany former king Mohammad Zaher Shah -- widely seen as a unifying figure -- back to Afghanistan after 29 years in exile. The latest allied offensive involves British, American and Afghan troops and marks the Afghan war combat debut for Britain's elite force of Royal Marines, trained to operate in small units in mountains that rise more than 10,000 feet. British spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Harradine gave few details, saying only that the operation began several days ago in an area "that was formerly known as an al-Qaida and Taliban base." "They're going to sweep through, destroy any al-Qaida and Taliban that are there and then deny the group control of that area," he said at the allied base here. U.S. military officials wouldn't say how many American soldiers were taking part, but spokesman Maj. Bryan Hilferty said it was the first large-scale combat operation for the allies since last month's Operation Anaconda -- a 12-day assault on Taliban and al-Qaida forces in the eastern Shah-e-Kot mountains. Harradine refused to say whether there had been any clashes so far but said the coalition had suffered no casualties. In Kandahar, a U.S. Army spokesman, Maj. Ignacio Perez, said all U.S. troops had been accounted for following the accidental explosion at a demolition range next to the former residence of Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. Earlier, Pentagon officials said the casualty toll could rise because a number of personnel were missing. Troops were handling large caliber rockets which had been confiscated from former Taliban ammunition dumps when the accident occurred at midday Monday. The injured soldier was flown to the U.S. military base at Kandahar airport, where officials said his injuries were not life-threatening. The U.S. military has not released the names of the victims but one was identified by his family as 27-year-old Jamie Maugans of Derby, Kan., an ordnance disposal specialist based in San Diego. His grandmother, Shirley Maugans, of Wichita, said the family learned of his death Monday afternoon. Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the accident shows "our servicemen and women remain at risk" in Afghanistan. "We certainly want to express our sorrow and grief to the families of those that have been killed and injured," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told a Pentagon briefing Monday. "And we salute the brave men and women in uniform who do, in fact, put their lives on the line every day to defend their country." Karzai's mission to fetch the deposed king -- a distant relative -- began Tuesday despite concerns over security in the country four months after the collapse of Taliban rule here. Zaher Shah's trip was delayed last month because of a rumored assassination plot. Karzai's spokesman, Yusuf Nuristani, said the king was expected in Kabul on Thursday. Several ministers accompanied Karzai on the trip. The 87-year-old former monarch is expected to convene a grand council, or loya jirga, in June to choose a new Afghan government. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
