The main runway of Kabul Airport in Afghanistan could be cleared of mines and reopened by early next week British military officials said today.At least another five days are needed for teams to clear explosives from the perimeter of the runway, construction crews to fill in six craters caused by US bombs, and other work, said Maj. Guy Richardson, the British military spokesman in Afghanistan."The runway has still to be swept (for mines) by hand, electricity has to be installed - troops will be arriving at night - and we need proper communications," Richardson said.Maj. Mark Burnett, supervising repairs to the runway, said a 50-member team of Afghan workers employed by the International Security Assistance Force was filling in craters.He said about 8,200 feet of usable runway is needed so that large Antonov and C-17 cargo planes can land.Currently, most military planes use the former Soviet air base at Bagram, some 30 miles north of the capital, with only smaller planes being able to use Kabul.Commanders of the British-led multinational peacekeeping force have said they will wait until Kabul Airport is reopened before flying in most of their troops and equipment.The airfield is littered with airplane wreckage and scarred by a giant crater where a US bomb struck near a building used by the ousted Taliban regime. Leo/ORD