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American Morning

America's New War: The Northern Alliance's Perspective

Aired September 19, 2001 - 10:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: I have with me here in Washington a gentleman who can help us under not only the geography but the politics of the region you were just discussing, Haron Amin, spokesman for the Northern Alliance.

You've circled that little piece of territory, Miles, in the north part of Afghanistan.

Mr. Amin, you have a map here, I don't know if we can get a camera in on it, but show us the portions of the country that are not under Taliban control, that under the control of your group, the Northern Alliance. And also show us, if you will, where you would suggest Mr. bin Laden might be located.

You'll need to hold that to show it to the camera here.

HARON AMIN, AFGHAN NORTHERN ALLIANCE: On the map, I can show you that the areas in the green are the areas that we have had over the last few years in the fight against the Taliban, and Osama bin Laden, of course, backed by the Pakistani military intelligence.

The red areas are territories that we were able to liberate over the last nine months. So this is the map, this is our understanding. Unfortunately, the misportrayal in the western media is not so correct, so this is the territory that we have.

But the fact we have lost these territories is because, over the years, our call for assistance has been neglected by the freedom loving people of the world and countries. In 1994, the Taliban emerged with the help the Pakistani military intelligence, captured southern Afghanistan. In 1995 they were able to secured these territories; 1996, they were able to capture Kabul; and then, of course, in 1997, additional territories in the north.

We were able to then again get these territories back. And there's an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) effect here, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) right now, is currently working in Harad (ph), General (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is working in the north up here. And of course, with the loss of our beloved Commander Massoud through the assassination by two Arabs posing as journalists. Of course there's a link directly to the incidents of September 11th here in New York and in Washington D.C. with his loss. At least we have been able to hold off. There has been a tremendous amount of work inside Afghanistan, but we will hold off these territories, and we hope that the western countries headed by the United States can in fact capitalize on what exists on the ground, and that we are ready to fully cooperate with the international effort to...

KING: Well, help me on that point, fully cooperate. As the United States tries to build this coalition and raises the prospect of sending U.S. ground troops into that region, what specifically in terms of help can the Northern Alliance supply? And has it already supplied any information it might have on possible whereabouts, not only of Mr. bin Laden, but his camps and his associates?

AMIN: We have -- there has been limited cooperation in this regard in the in past, but what we have lately offered, in terms of a military effort, has been the offering of 30 thousand seasoned fighters. Now remember that our fighters have been there for the last 20 years, they're very battle-hardened fighters. The fact we have lost a significant portion of the territory is not necessarily because we lack experienced fighters, but because we have been in a disadvantageous position when we have not received military supplies from various countries.

KING: Any indication, very quickly, that the United States will accept the military help?

AMIN: We are working on that. We are in contact right now. And I would presume that the best thing to do, in terms of any type of military strategy, would be to capitalize on what we are able to offer in Afghanistan on -- you know, the united front is able to offer.

KING: OK, Haron Amin of the Northern Alliance, thank you very much for your thoughts and your observations on the map there.

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