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American Morning

America's New War: Northern Alliance Feel Sense of Excitement

Aired September 19, 2001 - 11:09   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.
PAULA ZAUN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, joining us on videophone Steve Harrigan, who joins us from rebel-held territory in northern Afghanistan.

Steve, what's the latest from there?

STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, the latest here is some development from the Northern Alliance, that is the opposition group here in Taliban, which controls a portion of northern Afghanistan. There was sense of excitement, some sense of hope from opposition figures today. They say that their contacts with the United States have grown considerably over the past 24 hours.

We spoke to some high-opposition figures here. They say the United States is asking questions about troop deployment by the Taliban, asking questions about locations of strategic sites of importance, such as ammunitions dumps, troop deployment, military headquarters, airports, all potential attack sites.

And really, they say the mood has changed dramatically. Just a few days these opposition figures were talking about perhaps a possible attack might take place months or weeks ahead. Now, they say, judging from the urgency of the talks, which they describe -- one leader described as frantic, they say they military action could take place within days --Paula.

ZAUN: What would be the extent, then, of the Northern Alliance if military action takes place?

HARRIGAN: Well, the Northern Alliance is lobbying hard to play as big a role as possible. They want to play both a military role and a consulting role. They've been fighting the Taliban themselves for more than five years now. There are two front lines, one just north of Kabul, the other into northeastern Afghanistan, which would separate the Taliban from that crucial mountainous area; that's something they want to hold the Taliban back from. So they want to play a role both as fighters and as consultants. They say they can be the eyes and ears of the United States in any battle here in Afghanistan.

ZAUN: So it's really sounds like the rebel leaders have told you, then, that they don't expect the Taliban to turnover Osama bin Laden to Pakistani officials? HARRIGAN: They say that that's unlikely. They are saying that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan. They don't know exactly where, they are telling us at any rate. They say they expect him to be caught dead or alive, they don't know, but they say it could be a very long process to hunt him down in the remote regions of Afghanistan. They expect him to be found, but they say it could be a while before that happens.

ZAUN: Steve Harrigan, thanks so much for that report.

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