U.S.- U.K. Special Military Unit Entered Afghanistan

While the U.S. deploys military forces to the surrounding areas of Afghanistan to attack Afghanistan, it was reported that the special military units of the U.K. and the U.S. have begun small-scale operations to fight against terror in Afghanistan.

Britain`s Sunday Times reported yesterday that SAS troops entered Afghanistan a week ago to find Osama bin Laden, and they exchanged fire with the Taliban soldiers near Kabul Friday afternoon.

The Sunday Times reported that SAS troops, together with members of with the CIA and the M16, were in the search for bin Laden with the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. It was not reported how many members of the special military unit have entered Afghanistan.

In relation to this, the News Of the World, the Sunday Times` Sunday edition, reported that members of the M16 already grasped bin Laden`s whereabouts, and Tony Blair informed the U.S. President George W. Bush about this during the dinner at the White House on Thursday.

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. press, the U.S., which has established the headquarters in Saudi Arabia to attack Afghanistan, dispatched the unit of 101 Air Assault Divisions` pick of troops to Quetta, Daricemilekan and Badeber base in Pakistan, and sent military aircraft and helicopters carrying reconnaissance equipment to Uzbekistan.

The U.S. dispatched B-52 bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

Regarding the U.S. attack time, ABC Broadcast reported on Saturday that the U.S. decided not to engage in military activities while the Pope John Paul II is visiting the Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan (25th-27th) according to the Pope`s request.

However, Russia`s Itartas reported that the U.S. may attack Afghanistan within two or three days, and the Britain`s Guardian also reported that ``Britain will lead the attack, together with the U.S., within ten days.``

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com