U.S. Moves Some Afghan Detainees to Cuban Naval Base
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: We take a closer look now at the mission to move those prisoners in U.S. custody all the way from Afghanistan to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba. CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us now with moire on that pretty sizable undertaking. Good afternoon, Barbara.</s>BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi Judy. Yes, as the first detainees begin to move from Kandahar to that U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, security is the number one concern. At the Pentagon, we've just had a press briefing from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and he's reminded everybody that these prisoners -- which is what they are -- have a long history of violence and suicidal tendencies. So during the flight there are a number of unprecedented security measures that may be taken to restrain these detainees, or prisoners. And that possibly can include sedation, very heavy restraints and, to be somewhat blunt, no bathroom privilege. Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld said this is essential; and he noted that the Pentagon has consulted with prison experts and its own military commanders at the transportation command, TransCom, to see what kinds of appropriate measures should be taken on these flights.</s>DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Transportation from Kandahar, very likely is being handled by TransCom. And the detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are being handled by the acting combatant commander there for SouthCom. And they have been authorized and instructed to use appropriate restraint.</s>STARR: And in another matter, Rumsfeld addressed this growing potential U.S. military involvement in the Philippines. In fact, there are now a small number of U.S. special forces on the ground in the southern Philippines. And they are part of a much larger program to offer military training and assistance to the Philippine military in their effort to hunt down Islamic guerrillas who are possibly tied to al Qaeda and are operating inside the Philippines. That deployment could grow to several hundred in the weeks and months ahead -- Judy.</s>WOODRUFF: Barbara, what about the crash yesterday of the refueling plane in Western Pakistan -- the KC-130? Where do we stand with regard to an investigation of what happened there?</s>STARR: Well Judy, an investigation is underway, like it is in all military plane crashes. It's going to take some time, though, we are told. The plane crashed into a very mountainous area. It was full of fuel, and exploded into a fireball. And so the wreckage is very difficult to reach. And it will be very difficult, we are told, to investigate exactly what might have happened and caused this crash. But that investigation is now underway.</s>WOODRUFF: All right, Barbara Starr reporting fir us from the Pentagon. Thanks Barbara.</s>STARR: Thanks Judy. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com