US optimistic on Bin Laden

2004-04-10 12:51

Kabul, Afghanistan - The US military in Afghanistan is committed to capturing top terror suspects including Osama bin Laden, a spokesperson said on Saturday, but declined to repeat earlier forecasts that the al-Qaida leader would be caught this year.

"We remain committed to catching these guys," Lt Col Matthew Beevers said. "It's pretty much forefronting just about everything that we do here in Afghanistan."

The top American commander in Afghanistan, Lt Gen David Barno, said in January he was confident that bin Laden and Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar would be apprehended this year.

A spokesperson even said that the military was "sure" they would be tracked down.

The military has also said it will catch Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former Afghan prime minister who has joined the Taliban in vowing to drive out foreign troops and oust President Hamid Karzai.

Beevers wouldn't explain whether that confidence had ebbed.

"At the end of the day, it's not about just one or two people," he said. "It's about the entire country of Afghanistan and ensuring that there is stability and security throughout Afghanistan." - AP

- AP