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CNN Live Today

Look at Possible New Afghan Resistance Leader

Aired September 16, 2002 - 13:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Afghanistan, a U.S. outpost near Khowst was shelled today. There are no reports of injuries, but it's just another sign that Taliban and Al Qaeda forces still aren't ready to give up.
CNN senior Asian correspondent Mike Chinoy reports from Kabul on a possible new Afghan resistance leader.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE CHINOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the tightest security Kabul has seen in months, following a state of recent bomb attacks that left dozens dead. With the remnants of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, there's no threats to the fragile government of President Hamid Karzai. And now, there's a new danger. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one time anti-Soviet resistance leader, vice president during the bloody civil war here in the early '90s, in exile in Iran during the years of Taliban.

Now, reportedly, back in Afghanistan, calling for jihad against the U.S. and the Karzai regime.

GULAM MOHAMMED DAREZ, KABUL UNIVERSITY: He has an ambition to take power and to cease power and bring about an Islamic state.

CHINOY (on camera): The re-emergence of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has sends shivers of anxiety against Kabul. Few people here have forgotten how in civil war that followed the Soviet withdraw, Hekmatyar's forces mercifully shelled the capital, causing massive destruction and killing thousands of people.

(voice-over): The physical scars and the public anger remain. Dismullah (ph) sells apples in the shadow of the ruins. He lived through Hekmatyar's bombardment.

"May God destroys Hekmatyar," he says. "He carried out all this shelling. He is an infidel, not a real Muslim."

So widespread is Hekmatyar's reputation for brutality, that despite his denials, many in Kabul believe he was behind the recent bomb attacks. Political analyst say Hekmatyar could nevertheless emerge as man to rally supporters of ousted Taliban regime.

AHMED RASHID, AFGHANISTAN EXPERT: The scattered Taliban elements are more likely to be willing to rally around him and to hand over the leadership to him, given that the Taliban is so discredited because of their dealings with Al Qaeda, Gulbuddin can still project the kind of nationalist vision for disgruntled extremist elements.

CHINOY: Certainly U.S. forces here see him as a threat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he chooses to align himself with enemies, then he chooses to be an enemy.

CHINOY: Among ordinary people, analysts say, Hekmatyar's support is very limited, but his ability to cause trouble may be much more substantial.

Mike Chinoy, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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