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U.S. Seeks Right Time for More Commando Raids: Teams Already in Afghanistan Helping Rebels
Friday, November 2, 2001
By Edward Epstein
San Francisco Chronicle

"While much is being made of the introduction of U.S. ground forces into Afghanistan, it is obvious that the United States is still focusing on the hope that it is Afghan opposition elements that will provide the bulk of the ground forces."

WASHINGTON
The United States is waiting for the right opportunities in the next few days to send many more commando teams into Afghanistan to help increase the pressure on Taliban forces, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday.

Small teams of special forces have been on the ground in northern Afghanistan for several days. They are helping to pinpoint Taliban frontline positions for air strikes and arranging for resupply of anti-Taliban forces.

Rumsfeld said those activities would intensify as more of the special forces hit the ground, a move that seems timed to coincide with an offensive against the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif that anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces say they will begin soon.

"We have been working very diligently" to fly in more special forces "for many, many weeks now, and it is difficult to do," Rumsfeld said at the Pentagon's daily war briefing.
(More: SFGate.com News Source)
2001 © San Francisco Chronicle.

Dan