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CNN Live At Daybreak

Kuchi Nomads of Afghanistan May Have Sheltered bin Laden

Aired April 16, 2002 - 05:45   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A dirt poor tribe of Afghan nomads may have sheltered Osama bin Laden and other senior al Qaeda figures fleeing U.S. attacks.

CNN senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers spent some time with the tribe but found the truth a bit elusive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Osama bin Laden remains as ephemeral and elusive as this dust devil dancing above nomad's tents in the Afghan desert. These are the Kuchis, Afghan nomads who with their herds migrate across borders in search of green pastures. Known for their Islamic piety and unquestioning hospitality, some Afghans claim the Kuchis protected fleeing al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, helping them escape. The Kuchis are evasive.

This tribal chief says, "Today Karzai is in power. If the king returns, we will accept him. If the Taliban return, we will welcome them back."

Chatting with these tribal elders, all said they knew of Osama bin Laden, each denies ever seeing him. Still, many here supported al Qaeda and the Taliban. They gave their sons to fight the Americans. Note the conspicuous absence of young men of military age in these nomadic encampments, but a sixth straight year of drought is prompting some second thoughts.

"Maybe our deeds as Muslims are bad that's why there's been no rain. Perhaps," he said, "it is because we supported the Taliban."

Totally nomadic, the Kuchis survive or perish with their herds. Existence is marginal. This would have been an ideal place for fleeing Taliban leaders to hide.

"Yes, bin Laden was here," this man said. But he added, "I never saw him."

Truth, like bin Laden, is elusive here.

The Kuchis are so poor their loyalties ever go to the highest bidder. They've lost thousands of dollars when their flock strayed into mine fields, drought killed off even camels. Many have tuberculosis and other diseases, many claim they are close to starving. Kuchis are 10 percent of Afghanistan's population.

(on camera): When you're this poor, you have to supplement your income and the Kuchis do it by smuggling drugs and guns. These people are big-time smugglers and they get away with it because they use their women as carriers. No one would dare search a Kuchi woman.

(voice-over): Their women are little better than slaves, according to other Afghans. They are also short tempered.

"We're starving and dying and you ask us about politics and bin Laden," they groused.

For centuries, Kuchis have lived moving their flocks with the seasons, but they have not been able to escape history, drought, nor war this time. It swarms about them.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, in the Afghan desert.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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