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CNN Live At Daybreak

King Zahir Shah Now Resting in Mansion in Kabul

Aired April 18, 2002 - 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And we want to get more on the Afghan king's return to Kabul. Our Walter Rodgers watched as the plane carrying the king and his entourage arrived at the airport near Kabul just about two hours ago -- hello, Walter.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

King Zahir Shah is now resting in his mansion here in Kabul. It's a two-story mansion in the diplomatic enclave.

He had a very long flight from exile in Rome. He came in on a most unregal, unroyal aircraft, an Italian Air Force C-130 Hercules. That is not the most comfortable plane in the world to ride on, especially if you're an 87-year-old man. Still, it was a homecoming, and that was perhaps what was most important for the former Afghan king.

There was a subdued welcome for him at the airport. The king got off the plane and the Afghan sun beat down upon him. It must have been a very welcoming and warm feeling for him to return here after nearly 30 years in exile. He was deposed in 1973, and that was the beginning actually of Afghan's political and ethnic troubles.

As the king walked down the red carpet, which had been thrown out for him, he seemed to shuffle slowly, reflecting his 87 years of age. This Afghan government is so new -- only four months -- that they didn't manage to put together a marching band to produce any music for the welcoming. And the king did not stand on his feet very long. Just as I say, shuffling down that carpet, then getting into his limousine for the ride into the city.

The crowds were kept away. There were some thousands of people out, but not anything like what might have been. The reason being, the Afghan government is very concerned about an assassination attempt and a security of the former king. Thus, many people were kept away who might otherwise have turned out to greet the monarch.

Of course, most Afghans have little firsthand familiarity with this king simply because it was so long ago that he left this country. Indeed, they're more familiar with their Soviet occupation, that aspect of their history, and the Taliban's more recent rule -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Walter, what will his role be in Afghanistan? RODGERS: Largely ceremonial. I think, in a word, he will be an overseer. The king has come back to try to act as a unifying force; a cohesive factor in a very chaotic political and ethnic situation in this country.

There is going to be a council of tribal elders, which meets in June. The king will preside over that. A paternal role is I think what we're looking at.

He is not king even though he enjoys that title. He was deposed. This country honors him as a former king, but of course, again, he's here merely to preside over that meeting.

And that meeting of the Loya Jirga in June will actually decide what role, if any, the monarch has after they meet -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Walter Rodgers, thank you, reporting live for us from Kabul, Afghanistan this morning.

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