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CNN Live Today
Afghans Celebrate New Year
Aired March 21, 2002 - 14:57 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Before we say goodbye at this point, back to Afghanistan, where the biggest party since the fall of the Taliban is now being held. Nic Robertson now, from the blue mosque in Mazar-e Sharif.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jandar bulan kadarn (ph), it's called in the local Afghan dialect, or simply "flag- raising." For the tens of thousands gathered, the significance of the act, signaling the beginning of the new year, magnified by the fact the Taliban banned the ancient tradition.
Guards struggle to control crowds intent on securing their good fortune by touching the pole, a ritual that's been performed in this holy shine for almost 500 years, apart from the Taliban rule. The celebration drew dignitaries from across the nation and beyond. The largest cheer, for interim leader, Hamid Karzai.
(APPLAUSE)
ROBERTSON: Popular also with the crowds, local ethnic Uzbek leader, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose forces were among the first to help the United States in the war on terrorism last year.
GEN. ABDUL RASHID DOSTUM, ETHNIC UZBEK LEADER (through translator): I want to pay great respect to our American friends, who also have faced great suffering, particularly those in New York City and Washington, D.C. We have a common bond. We have both been victims of terrorism.
ROBERTSON: Although other leaders spoke, the crowd jostled for position, Dostum used his half-hour at the festival podium to deliver a policy speech of sorts. His offer to give soldiers time off to cultivate their land, particularly well received, as was his call for a better future.
DOSTUM: The future must be built by all of our people. No longer can anyone be denied their rights. We must respect each other and return to the future that is bright. Justice for all.
ROBERTSON: Optimism reflected by the crowd, thronging the ancient shrine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very happy for people of Afghanistan (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
ROBERTSON: "We are very happy the Taliban was stopped and the flag is back up," his friend adds.
(on camera): Prosperity and good fortune are enshrined in the new year's celebration. And while few here can lay claim to either in any quantity, this annual event is taking place at a time of peace, and in Afghanistan's recent history, a time of unprecedented opportunity.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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