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CNN Live Saturday

Deposed President of Afghanistan Returns to Kabul

Aired November 17, 2001 - 16:04   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as we reported, the deposed president of Afghanistan has returned to the capital city today, but he says that his mission is peace and not politics. The international community wants to see a broad-based government established in Kabul. CNN's Christiane Amanpour has more now from a country with a troubled past, now facing an uncertain political future.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Rabbani came back to Kabul not to reclaim power, but to say he was ready to share it. "The victory of the Northern Alliance, or the United Front, is for all Afghans, no matter their tribe or ethnic group," he said.

BURHANUDDIN RABBANI, DEPOSED PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: (through translator): We have always supported the tradition of loya jerga, and it will elect the leader of the country. We will aim for a broad- based government.

AMANPOUR: But it's been more than a decade since this country had a functioning government. Their parliament building has fallen into total disrepair. These two watchmen are trying to remember whether this was the assembly chamber or a cinema.

Outside, an informal assembly of passers by quickly gathered around us. Among them, civil servants longing for a real government to work for.

"We want our country sorted out," says Nerr Amad (ph). "Our people are miserable, and past governments are responsible for that."

Indeed, it wasn't the Soviet occupation or the U.S. bombing that turned this capital city to rubble, but the various faction leaders who are now vying for power again.

(on camera): For longer than the people here care to remember, their city's been fought over by as many as 10 different factions at any given time. And they've ruined vast sways of this capital. The one thing people here know for sure is that they don't want any of the old warlords back in charge.

(voice-over): "We don't want them," says Najeeb (ph). "They have terrorized us. We want educated people, intellectuals, maybe Zahir Shah to take control."

Afghans who have never welcomed outside interference, now say they need help getting back on their feet again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The other people become tired from the fighting. They want peace. Who is ensuring the peace in Afghanistan? I think that the United States of America and absolutely the United Nations.

AMANPOUR: Even Rabbani agrees with that idea, though he's being blamed for slowing down the political process.

ERIC FALT, DIR., U.N. INFORMATION CENTER: We need to get the Afghan parties together as quickly as possible. Obviously, the United Front is one of the very important components to be able to put together such a meeting. I would leave it at that for the time being.

AMANPOUR: The message from most people, including President Rabbani, is for the United States not to turn away now. They say their country fell into the hands of terrorists the last time the world lost interest in Afghanistan.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN, Kabul.

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