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CNN Live Saturday

Former Ambassador to Pakistan Discusses Secretary Powell's Upcoming Trip

Aired October 13, 2001 - 15:39   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: In the coming week, Secretary of State Colin Powell is going to be heading off for Pakistan, where anti- American protests are now a daily occurrence. For more insight into what he may be doing while he's there in that country, we want to welcome Nicholas Platt. He is a former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan. Mr. Ambassador, we sure do thank you for your time this afternoon.

NICHOLAS PLATT, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN: Pleasure to be here, Leon.

HARRIS: Well, give us some insight into what you think Secretary Powell may be trying to accomplish with this trip? And what do you make of the timing of it?

PLATT: Well, he's got to spend some time in Pakistan and in India as well. I think it is very important that both of these countries get some high-level attention at this time.

He's on his way to Shanghai, of course, and the timing is I think ideal. You see, both India and Pakistan have joined in this fight against terrorism, and both of them are sort of at daggers drawn among the themselves. So, it's a ticklish kind of a situation. They are concerned about Kashmir, they are concerned about a long-term dispute among themselves.

But both are helping us in this fight against terrorism, and so it's very important that the secretary of state spend some time with the leaders of both countries.

HARRIS: What is this trip going to do for Mr. Musharraf? I understand that part of the idea here is to step up the level of contacts that he has had here in the U.S., and to make that very visible, very public.

PLATT: I think that's a very important goal that he has. And he will be the most senior person to visit General Musharraf since President Clinton visited last year. And in the context of the tragic events of September 11, I think this is a particularly important time. Musharraf has come out strongly in favor of the United States, backing the coalition against terrorism, and we really need to pay some attention to him and to support him.

HARRIS: We haven't really paid that much attention, or they haven't talked at least much on the air about the situation with India and Pakistan. And you think this is going to be part of the -- going to take center stage at some point in these talks with General Musharraf and also with Secretary Powell's trip throughout that region. And I understand that you think that perhaps that India is upset because it hasn't got enough credit for its willingness to participate to this point?

PLATT: Well, I heard that. I heard remarks from Indians saying that they didn't feel they had gotten enough attention, even though they had offered all kinds of different help. I'm sure that through diplomatic channels they got all kinds of recognition, but it wasn't a big public thing.

In any case, I think both of these countries need some -- need some recognition and some support from the United States.

HARRIS: Let's see if you can give us a hand with this one. Many people are talking about the importance of coming up with a post-war -- a post-game plan, if you will, for Afghanistan, what happens afterward, the idea of what is going to happen with the leadership structure in that country. Any idea at all what the secretary may be thinking on that? And what he may be talking to General Musharraf about?

PLATT: Well, I know that there's a lot of attention being paid right now to trying to form some kind of a government that would represent virtually all of the different factions and tribes in Afghanistan. I think that's seen as a requisite for a peaceful solution to the situation there over the long haul. And I know that there are negotiations going on amongst -- with the various tribes and factions, including the Pashtuns, from whom the Taliban come, to make this happen.

So this is a very sort of political subtext to the military action that's going on now.

HARRIS: I'm curious about this idea of the king of Afghanistan coming back. He's currently in Rome, where he's been for some time now. And I'm sure you have heard all the discussion about that, more and more of the talk about him going back and him perhaps being the symbolic leader or head of state that would allow all these different factions to finally come up with a plan under which they can all survive. This was actually tried once before back when you were ambassador to Pakistan. Do you think that perhaps the landscaped has changed to make that a viable plan?

PLATT: Well, I hope so. I think that the search is on for one person who can at least convene a great counsel in which a future leadership of Afghanistan can be chosen. And I think that the king is -- is one person who might have that capability, and that credibility amongst the various different tribal groups.

But the question that you ask is the $64 question, and is whether or not the seriousness of the current situation will enable people to work together and form a government. In the past, they were unable to do that. But now, Afghanistan has deteriorated to the extent that they have to do something.

HARRIS: That is the question. Do you think it is possible, do you think it will happen?

PLATT: I think it is possible. I think it is a -- it is a good -- it is a good starting point. And it is very important that the process be started and that a government be formed, post-Taliban government be formed with which the coalition can work.

HARRIS: Let me ask you one question here about these airstrikes and this campaign that's under way right now in Afghanistan. We've got a very special period coming up in the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan, the holy month. This came up last time around, I believe during the Gulf War as well, the timing of all this. What do you think is going to happen if there is fighting or there are airstrikes conducted or some sort of ground campaign conducted in Afghanistan during that particular month? Are you concerned that perhaps there would be some sort of erosion of support amongst those in Pakistan and throughout the Islamic world?

PLATT: Well, I think that during that holy month, any kind of an attack will be extra sensitive. That -- that month starts November 17. I think it behooves us to get as much done militarily before that time, so as to avoid some of these sensitivities.

HARRIS: Nicholas Platt, former ambassador from the U.S. to Pakistan, we thank you very much for your time this afternoon and your insights. Very informative.

PLATT: My pleasure.

HARRIS: Good luck to you.

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