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CNN Live Today

Afghan Military Graduates First Class of Recruits

Aired July 23, 2002 - 12:30   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The government of Afghanistan took one small step today toward its goal of having a national, professional military.

CNN's Nic Robertson was there as the first graduating recruits got their marching orders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In step and on parade for their president, the first graduates in Afghanistan's new national army show off recently-polished marching skills.

Following 10 weeks of training by U.S. soldiers, the multi-ethnic Afghan force of 350 soldiers and 36 officers are headed for active duty.

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT, AFGHANISTAN (through translator): Man or woman, young or old, in whatever province, they are with you, and you have to be with them. Your first job is to treat everyone equally.

ROBERTSON: Ethnic equality has been the watchword building this force, which has been drawn from ethnic groups that have in the past had serious rivalries.

SGT. ADAM, U.S. MILITARY: At first, it was really a problem. We saw some infighting here and there, and I think because they had to live together in the same barracks, it has actually improved greatly.

ROBERTSON: As well as ethnic tolerance and marching, training has included teamwork, live-fire exercises on Kalashnikovs, mortars, and small rockets.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As with any military unit, you need to practice working as a unit on, basically, all the tasks that you are going to be doing. We have taught them the basics, but they are going to have to continue training on their own.

ROBERTSON: Over 500 signed up for the course. However, many left, citing the $50-a-month salary too small. And while Afghan defense officials speculate about building an army of 200,000 men. A lack of funds means they don't know how long it will take, or even if they can afford it. GEN. GHULAM SAKHI ASIF, AFGHAN DEFENSE MINISTRY (through translator): Everybody knows the money is not coming from us, and in the future, I don't know where we will receive the money from.

ROBERTSON (on camera): It could take several years before this army is capable of enforcing the laws and will of the Afghan government across the whole country. It is for that reason that critics of international policy here say that international peacekeepers and coalition forces should do more to back the government and ensure stability throughout the country until the Afghan national army is ready.

(voice-over): For now, these soldiers are headed to the presidential palace not, officials say, because President Karzai needs more protection, but because they have nowhere else to put them.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Kabul, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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