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CNN Live Event/Special

America Recovers: Grand Islamic Council in Afghanistan Ready to Make Announcement About Decision on Bin Laden

Aired September 20, 2001 - 05:30   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now if things are going according to schedule this Grand Islamic Council in Afghanistan should be just about ready to start their press conference to make their announcement about their decision on whether or not to force Osama bin Laden out of Afghanistan. Let's check in now with our Steve Harrigan who is in Northern Afghanistan. He has been spending the last few days with the Taliban's opposition there. Steve, what are you hearing there?

STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the opposition, Leon, thinks that there's no way the Taliban is going to give up Osama bin Laden. And as far as the people of Afghanistan - many of them have begun to vote with their feet. Many of them who have the means and the relatives are beginning to leave the city - the capitol city of Kabul. At least we've seen the first signs of that from the village we are in here in Northern Afghanistan.

We've seen and heard about buses jam packed full of people leaving the Afghanistan capitol heading north trying to flee. They are afraid of the possible fighting - of possible military action. They are afraid their houses could come under attack from the United States to be destroyed by bombs.

These (AUDIO GAP) arrived (AUDIO GAP) in the late afternoon (AUDIO GAP) are jam packed full of people many of them (AUDIO GAP). And they've heard the news. Many of them (AUDIO GAP) that it's time to (AUDIO GAP). It's a very (AUDIO GAP) bus ride. You have to (AUDIO GAP) between the Taliban and the northern (AUDIO GAP) all of your stuff (AUDIO GAP) days sun here (AUDIO GAP) walk (AUDIO GAP) get in a (AUDIO GAP) and then drive (AUDIO GAP).

HARRIS: I apologize for that. Steve, if you can still hear us we have to break away right now because the video phone is starting to break or have some problems. Maybe you have some interference there or whatever but we'll try to check back with Steve Harrigan in just a moment.

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