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American Morning
Special Forces Train New Afghan Army
Aired May 20, 2002 - 09:41 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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: As we have been reporting this morning, a U.S. soldier has been killed while on patrol in eastern Afghanistan. And this latest American casualty adds a new sense of urgency to a mission undertaken by U.S. Special Forces. It's a mission that so far we have heard very little about.
Joining us now to illuminate us is Anderson Cooper, who is on assignment in Kabul.
Good morning, Anderson.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
As you said, the Special Forces have a very important military mission here. But they also have a strategic mission that they are playing out. It's a mission you probably have not heard about it. It is taking place here in Kabul. And the mission it to train a new national Afghan army. And if this country is ever to overcome the years of political fighting and ethnic differences, this is the army that will make it happen.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): We found them on the outskirts of Kabul, a ragtag battalion some 600 strong: the first recruits in Afghanistan's new national army. On this beat-up base, used by the Soviets, the Taliban, and al Qaeda, U.S. Army Special Forces are trying to build a modern army. Amidst the ruins of the past, Afghanistan's future is forming, one foot at a time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got undershorts, T-shirt
COOPER: Clothing and food, guidance and guns. This battalion's training will last 10 weeks.
"ADAM," U.S. SPECIAL FORCES: What we're trying to do is get an army set up that will be loyal to the government and take orders from the government.
"BRIAN": If you just have a president who is sitting here in the capital while there are warlords all over the country -- and the whole entire country's been fighting for years. So in order for them to have a strong government, they have to have an effective army.
COOPER: Security and stability -- that's the goal. The process, however, is slow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you turn your weapon back into the arms room...
COOPER: Different languages, different loyalties. Some recruits have fought each other for years.
Twenty-four-year-old Mohammed Ali (ph) joined the army two weeks ago. "All the ethnic groups have to get together," he says. "We must be united."
(on camera): The goal of the U.S. Special Forces here may be noble and necessary, but the mission is extraordinarily complex. U.S. troops are not just trying to change the uniforms these men are wearing, they are trying to change a mind-set, trying to break down the ethnic loyalties that have kept Afghanistan divided for generations.
LT. COL. KEVIN MCDONNELL, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES: The theme that the leadership and the command of the Afghan military here on this compound is putting out to them is that you are Afghans first and your tribal heritages come second.
COOPER (voice-over): Lt. Col. Kevin McDonnell commands U.S. Special Forces here. He oversees the Afghans' training.
MCDONNELL: They are working for the security and the longevity of this country, something greater than just their tribal interests.
COOPER (on camera): And that is a new concept?
MCDONNELL: I believe it's a new concept here.
COOPER (voice-over): According to Col. McDonnell, for both Afghanistan and America, the stakes could not be higher.
MCDONNELL: This has to succeed, and this will succeed. It's absolutely critical that an environment of stability and security exist here, to prevent the reemergence of terrorism.
COOPER: U.S. officials say they are not involved in nation building in Afghanistan, and that may be so. But on this dry, dusty base, U.S. Special Forces are trying to help Afghans build their own nation; they're doing it one battalion at a time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
If I may say, Paula, the U.S. Special Forces are an incredibly impressive group of soldiers. The mission here is very difficult, but if anyone can make it succeed, they can -- Paula.
ZAHN: We have heard one of the leaders there talk about how it would have to succeed and it will. What are some of your personal observations after you've watched the Special Forces work with these Afghan troops?
COOPER: Well, what's amazing about the Special Forces is that they are extraordinary highly trained. I think just about all of them are sergeants. They also have to speak a second language. And they really cut a very low-profile here in Afghanistan: They are not walking around in flak jackets and helmets and making a big show of themselves. They have really have an amazing ability to blend in. That's all part of their training. That's what they are trained to do.
Their motto is to "De oppresso libre," to free the oppressed. And they say that's what they are doing here in Afghanistan -- Paula.
ZAHN: Fascinating to see that training. Thanks so much, Anderson. See you tomorrow morning.
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