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CNN Live Saturday

Interim Government Brings Optimism to Afghanistan

Aired December 22, 2001 - 16:02   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: The torch has now passed in Afghanistan, but after the ceremonies come a sobering business of governing and CNN's John Vause reports from Kabul where, at least for a day, the possibilities seem equal to the problems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With a hug and a handshake, the first peaceful transfer of power of Afghanistan in decades. The outgoing President Rabbani, who was banished by the Taliban, and Hamid Karzai, the new interim leader.

Throughout this ceremony, talk of optimism, but also realization of the tremendous hardships ahead. This is a country which is unprepared for a cold, hungry winter, its coffers left empty by the Taliban. In many ways, this new government is starting with less than zero. Many roads and buildings have been left in ruins. There are chronic health problems and unemployment. Many government employees have not been paid in five months.

Today Hamid Karzai asked all Afghans to come together and to overcome the painful past.

HAMID KARZAI, CHMN. AFGHAN INTERIM ADM. (through translator): In order to fulfill the hopes of our repressed nation and reconstruct our beloved country, we need to dedicate our lives. To achieve this aim, it's necessary to go forward with unity.

VAUSE: He'll be supported by 29 ministers, notably two of them women, symbolic for all Afghan women who were brutally repressed during the five years of the Taliban regime.

KARZAI (through translator): For the women of Afghanistan, almost half the population, we not only respect them, but give them the full chance to play an active role in our society.

VAUSE: As the National Anthem played for the first time in public for over five years, Afghan men openly wept. And there were tears, too, for Ahmed Massoud, the Northern Alliance general who was assassinated just two days before September 11.

But outside, a reminder that this is a delicate peace as British Royal Marines patrol the streets; so, too, heavily armed Afghan soldiers. (on camera): The new interim administration will be in power for the next six months, then a provisional government will take over. The U.N. hopes that people of Afghanistan will elect their own leaders within two years, but for now it's one uncertain step at a time.

John Vause, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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