Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

Taliban Spokesman: There will be no Discrimination Against Women, Within Framework of Sharia Law; Taliban: Security of Country is Most Important Thing; Taliban Spokesman: No one from the U.S. or International Community will be Harmed; Taliban Promise Safety for Afghans Waiting at Airport; Taliban Reiterate Promise of Amnesty for Afghan Government Workers; Taliban Spokesperson Claims Rights of Journalists Will Be Protected, Within Framework of Sharia Law. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired August 17, 2021 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZABIHULLAH MUJAHID, TALIBAN SPOKESMAN: --our forces for assuring security enter the city. Although we had a declaration, we have said that no one -

should be entering. But we should not give this opportunity for those aggressors to come to meet people because their embassies, they are -

therefore both citizens should be assured that security is --.

Without a doubt we hear and it is seen that some international sometimes they show concern, I would like to say that international, including the

United States of America, and I'd like to assure them. So, no one knew that will be cost to anyone outside Afghanistan.

And I'd like to assure all our neighboring countries, we will not allow anyone to use Afghanistan against them. Therefore, I would like that all

international community should know and we obviously are committed to our promises.

However, I would like to not forget one thing, international when they come and direction should be within the framework of international norms, when

in accordance with political and they should express their concerns, and we will do our utmost to address your problem.

I do not want anything to happen to have any tension or political problems between us. Based on your religious teaching, we should have respect,

because we have a lot of sacrifices based on - this is the right of the Afghans.

So, you may have been witnessed, many different countries have got different national caveats, national rules. United States have got, caveats

have got national rules as far as the neighboring countries have got different rules and regulations.

Afghan has the right they can say that Afghanistan, they should have rules which will be in the interest of the people, which will be - to the beliefs

of the people, and international community should not have any concerns. So they should also respect our core values.

The issue of woman which is a very important Islamic - committed to based on the Sharia law, rely on that, our sisters and mothers, which has been

said in the Sharia law, our - has said, which is our value, which women is an important core tenant of our society, they are working different.

They can work within the framework, education, training and other aspects. So they will be in prisons with us.

Of course, if they're International, they have got it concerns, if there is any concern because there will be no violence against women, no

discrimination against woman, of course, based within the framework of the Islamic law, and which will be our women are Muslim.

So they will all accept it and they'll go within the framework of the Islamic Sharia law. We are very hopeful that when Afghanistan is coming out

of the war, that we will have economic infrastructure.

So, we will take very serious steps earlier in our interactions. I have spoken with - Afghanistan, I've got a lot of resources.

But they should invest a lot of money and to help Afghanistan for the construction and we have - Afghanistan they should be - they assure all the

citizen that we will be very, we will be able in a very short period of time to change, positive change, so all the people situation will be

changed.

Everyone, every Afghan wants their lives to be better. So of course when something positive changes in society for the whole society change, whether

it's any commercial whether it's economical, of course the most important thing is security which we have ensured security and it will be a

comprehensive regime.

So we should be at the disposal of certain people and will be committed to be bold and not dominant on people. So they should for the good of the

future and just life in there --. I would like to once again, to reassure all the media that our interaction with the media will be based on the

principles.

[11:05:00]

MUJAHID: We would like all the media, private media, to be free to be independent, to continue their publications. So I've got three or four

requests that are not against the rules in principle. First, in Afghanistan, Islam is a value very important.

So anything contrary to the Islam principle, the rule just naturally will not accept that. Therefore, within the framework of principles of Islam,

so, they can have free reports and independent publication; at the same time I would like the media to be impartial.

So, we would like the media to have some criticism. So, so the future regime should be able to pay attention. So you can help us in this regard.

So we can actually address and identify the defects and we can address them and I'd like to request all the media, so all the media activities should

be independent and unbiased.

And of course, at the same time, the most important thing is that we should act and national values are very important for us. So, we have given a lot

of sacrifice for national value. So, whatever these national budgets have always been have unified us. So there is no discrimination for those

people, which will harm our national - and discrimination, religious and religious problems.

This has not been our society of course, we are all - Afghans mostly the Afghans, and this is for the national interest of Afghanistan for making it

one united Afghanistan with all different aspects, for all the tribes are - therefore. So we require your help and support them in cooperation with us.

And at the end, I would like to thank you all that you took part in this conference and thank you very much. I have a question.

So they will mention again. I would like to tell you that I will be at your disposal; we will have a lot of conferences. And for now this obviously

time is less. So I was in a very faraway province about an hour ago I got here.

So we all waited and so we had a preliminary discussion, so we will be sitting now. Question will be asked, and I'll answer the questions. Yes,

questions will be asked.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: I have an interpreter, so he's - it's being interpreted to me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a question about human rights, can you give any guarantees whether woman will be able to go to work.

MUJAHID: Yes, with regard to the woman, so they stated earlier. So it will be within the Sharia law. So we will allow them to work within them. Woman

is important segment of the society. So in all sectors where the society requires them, they will have access present and they will be within the

framework.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whether it is in work, or other activities, because women are a key part of society. And we are guaranteeing all the rights

within the limits of Islam.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Mujahid, - ABC News from America. Can I ask you? What guarantees can you give to the Afghans who fought with the Americans,

the interpreters?

[11:10:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What guarantees will you give to the Afghans who are now hiding; they want to leave the country that the Americans will transport --

? This is very important. This is a man who is being held hostage by the Taliban. His name is --. And on behalf of his parents, they've asked me to

ask you whether you will commit to releasing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: In this regard, I would like to show you how am I confronted that who are in the opposite side, whether you were in the Military sector or

with the - even. So it was a blanket amnesty to all.

So we would like to have a retributory action. And I would like that those youth who have talent who have been brought up here; I don't want them to

leave here. I never want them. This is our investment.

They should remain in their country. And I would like to assure them all that no one will go to their houses or to inspect them or to question them

as to why they supported or interpreted.

However, I would like to mention that I would like to reassure you that there will be no danger addressed to them. With regard to the contract, I

don't have any information. Maybe it was it is a years ago. But I don't have any information about that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: --that we are assuring the safety of all those who have worked with the United States and allied forces, whether as interpreters or

any other field that they have worked with them. As for the talents and the skills, we do not want them to leave the country; we want them to serve

their own homeland.

As for the contractor that was perhaps is gone missing, as reported by the media. We do not have any information about him at the moment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: It would take turn please, please go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: I can't hear the person - question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: Literally I would like to assure you that they should go to their own, nobody will do anything with you, it will be Islamic Emirate has

ordered, nobody should be refused, of course those who have been followed or chased, so we have given a number.

There are some people who misuse this. So they are not our people, individuals, our individuals do not threaten people. If you see those

people, so those thousands of soldiers who had actually fought against that who had made us believe and they had fought -for us, so when the occupation

was over.

So we have given them blanket amnesty so those families who are in the airport unfair so right now they should be returning to get out and nobody

will be following them. And I assure them, so in their lifetime, nobody will go to them and ask them what they have done and what they have not

done. So with that, please --.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

[11:15:00]

MUJAHID: Excellent, - the one question is good so to give turn to the others. I would like to mention that we have given blanket amnesty. This is

in the interest of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

So those people who were and I would hope that from A to Z, so we would not attribute. And second, God forbid, we have not taken any intentional

action, which they have suffered as a result. Of course, during the fighting that somebody has been unintentionally, without any harming them

intentionally.

This is the side effect of the fighting, so this fighting which continue for 20 years, that's a massive force of occupiers that we defeated. It was

not possible that some of the wounds that we were forming, of course, we suffered a lot.

Our families were suffered and obviously our people obviously put bombs on themselves and if contingency area in a time where it was uncontrollable,

if something has been tougher. So it's regrettable. So this, these are the side effects of the fighting.

I can give you 100 percent guarantee that any of our attacks have not been against the civilians. And those people who have not been involved in the

fighting have not been intentional. There have been some problems and typically due to technical issues or other problems, which is regrettable.

And of course they need to take this into account other question?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: Please keep calm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: As you know that the political situation will change here. So there was an opportunity for those people who are looting and plundering.

So for controlling this situation, so we had to take serious actions. So this is for a very short period of time, so they come - come back to normal

situation.

So we are in the contingency situation for those people who would like to bring in stability or to stop to bring tips to make people suffer. So we'd

like to bring keep this contingency plan for a few days. So the district has the districts have started their activities.

And so to bring security for the city, with regard to the people commodity, so - will not - anything which would belong to the nation. So whether it's

weapon, so of course, if we don't have this weapon, then we will not be able to bring security. So this was a requirement the need.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: I should mention to you that it was a great value and achievement to free Afghan thought, so obviously everything for the occupiers.

[11:20:00]

MUJAHID: So in those, if we had left the puppet government of the occupiers, then the previous regime, and you're talking about fighting to

the last day, if so, it's 18 months that our representatives are in Qatar, and Qatar, I had seen repeatedly that during negotiation that it was

sabotage.

So it was trying to fight them three weeks ago from the dominant force. So they had a serious six month fighting. And I very much hope that their

immediate mind is strong. So and we wouldn't don't want our children to be orphans, we had to take this, this was not for taking power. This was for

the formation of the Islamic Emirates.

So if somebody else would have wanted to make an Islamic Emirate, then would have joined them for our - for our competence. So however, we would

like to bring a kind of government in which everybody will see them - that government, if they will be inclusive.

And we will reach an agreement with that. We don't want the continuation of fighting with, we're very willing to peace and stability and those process,

which will add the disposal of the foreign. So they were to blame. So they were talking from here for fighting.

And so we have come with the force that we have come with a fighting. So you saw our food that within 11 days, we captured all Afghanistan. But we

are not talking about distribution. We're not talking about fighting, though we have talked about our opposition about blanket amnesty.

So we have ordered our majority in the city that they should not go to anybody's house or to take their car, their vehicle, I would like you to

sort of make this difference and to make these differences easier, if we not send them.

With regard to the flag, so the regime will take a decision, once the regime is formed, Afghan will have different reasons for this for their

positions. So we will leave it to them, we will leave it to them. However, at the current situation as a military situation, so everywhere you see the

flags are in its position. So once the regime is formed and then decisions will be made.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: What's the difference between the Taliban of the 1990s? If this question is based on ideology, thoughts, beliefs, so there are no

differences. Hence our reasons, our nations were Muslim, this is our children and we are Muslims.

Now, we have the same beliefs, but our base of maturing experience based on our vision if we calculate so there are a lot of differences. This is based

on the - which will have positive differences. This is a complimentary process which will be completed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: Of course, it's not so. We will leave the rules to the future regime that they will obviously legislate what legislation for the country

will be good and that the future government will be responsible, which will be responsive to all our nations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

[11:25:00]

MUJAHID: One thing I would like to say to you, - work on regime is ongoing. So for the formation of the regime, once it's completed the form with all

experiences being carried out. Once it's complete and you will hear with regard to the smuggling of weapons, so, we have got our borders in our

control.

So and even a one weapon cannot be taken. So those weapons which have not been used, so we will be recollecting and collecting them and will be

stashing them. It's almost, so nothing, there might not much have been left. So, and of course, we would like this to be resolved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: Please make efforts to give the floor to the foreign journalists.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: This question should have been asked from the Facebook Administration so because of the freedom of speech for 20 years of the day,

obviously through --. So everything was obviously disseminated. So because it's - well, if that's all I can say. So the question should be in turn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: So please give the floor to the foreign journalists.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: He's talking about those Afghans who are inside Afghanistan like - -. I must say to your first question, it's three days that Kabul have been taken and all the provinces including Kabul, so we don't have any incident

of murder. So - security has returned to Afghanistan.

If you say about kidnapping of a poem, poet, so no one is allowed to race to get - talents. So at this situation, this is a Military situation --. So

time should be given to us and everything should come down, but nobody will be able to kidnap anybody.

But I would like to pay attention to - compare this situation to one week ago. So people are not living their lives. The situation has improved,

every day compared to the previous day. So the security is getting better.

With regard to the heads that are outside, we don't want any one of them to be outside. This is their country. This is our joint country, so we have

joint interest and joint religion, joint country, joint nation.

So we would like to get together to our things despite the fact that they are fighting there are difficulties, but when we said amnesty was given, so

we don't want to have any feud with anybody.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

[11:30:00]

MUJAHID: Without the support of the international, yes, I give you full assurance as - compare it to the world, that Afghanistan will not be the

country for the production of the narcotics. In 2001 if you remember, the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan goes to zero. Unfortunately, our

country got occupied and intentionally in such a way as conditions was made.

And from now on so there'll be no narcotic trade, trade of cortex to be against our people. And when we came to Kabul, we saw some youngsters that

unfortunately, so they were sitting at the edges of the walls. So, and it was regrettable.

What I saw in Kabul, it was - I was distressed, and they were obviously facing a very bleak future. Unfortunately, Afghanistan will not be a place

of cultivation of the narcotics. So the international law should be it - should help us and we should have an alternative livelihood for them to be

able to take their positive and constructive steps in the coming years to bring back the trade off the narcotics dealer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much, Mr. Mujahid. I'm - News. And the question is Afghan people should be waiting for what sort of regime whether

it is an Islamic regime? So will you include other political leaders?

MUJAHID: So for instance - so that women and men can actually go back to their offices, and as from when? I should see Afghanistan, will have a

strong Islamic country - I don't know what the name will be, we should better leave it to the politicians, because this issue is being seriously

discussed.

And I assure you that Afghanistan will have a strong political government which will be committed to values and there should be the surface of their

people and our people will be able to see. We will do our utmost that they should get - those people who - well - get back. We should get us in the

future regime. We're human these things go on really well.

So the government institution will soon be reactivated in particular those different aspects which the Sharia law allows them to go in. We have

witness in terms of the medical training and education please attorney general office, women are needed the - need of the society thing will be

organized for them. I would like to mention please do adhere to rules and take your turn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: Yes, I would like to mention that these foreign fighters, one thing I would like it to be --. Afghanistan will not - the Afghanistan will

not be used for against any country. And with regard to this, whoever wants to use our soil, so we will not allow them to the activity will not allow

them accommodation.

So our regime is being formed that our leaders - leadership is strong. So we need to wait a few days and we should have tolerance. Very soon the

regime will be announced.

[11:35:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will not allow any foreigners who wish to harm or threaten the security of other countries any space in Afghanistan and we

have assured this. As for your second question - as for the government set up, we are still working on it. Hopefully we will - we will reach that

stage soon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Someone can you please clear mention for us about the situation of women journalist and women working in the media, you see

something but it is not clear. Can they active like in the previous government like this or no?

MUJAHID: Can you please repeat the question?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: About the situation of the women. Can women have strong robust presence in the media? Can they make a specific program? With this regard,

we would like for the future regime and government. So all the youth sector should take part but within the framework of Sharia law.

This is the general. So this is - I'm not here to do explain, but let the regime form and then all the rules will be set out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).

MUJAHID: My name is --. You mentioned that it will be a strong Islamic regime or government being worked on. So can you say what sort of

discussion - is it with regard to the national reconciliation high council that which consists of Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah and --. And so the other

question is the leader of the Islamic Ayatollah. When will he come to Kabul?

I must tell you that very soon, we will be witnessing the regime and the government will be formed. We will do our utmost to relay contacts have

been made with Dr. Abdullah. We have those contacts, we try that all Afghans rally.

We don't want anyone so all have the intention of serving. They have places so I do not want this to be - I would like this to be - to not be

overlooked at. Our leaders when it will come to Afghanistan to Kabul if God willing, soon decision will be made. And we will make efforts that

everything will be formed.

If there is a deadline, how long will it take? We should wait the since the contingency situation is - so all the sides should be convinced we should

have data the requirement for time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the name of God. Thank you very much. Mr. Mujahid. One of the fundamental issues about governance is too strong to maintain a

robust and strong relationship with neighboring country. Do you have - what's your specific program?

MUJAHID: Well, first of all would be with regard to the neighboring countries and region, regional countries. Afghanistan wants for the

economic development to have relationship with all countries. Therefore we'd like to rebuild our country to get out of this crisis.

[11:40:00]

MUJAHID: And we have good relationship with our neighboring countries with foreign countries. Therefore, we do our best to have relationship with our

neighbors countries based on the international diplomatic norms.

We're based on the bilateral respect. Thank you very much for all of you to come here. So our time is very less. And thank you very much. Appreciate

it. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Well, this was a very, very interesting live event in Kabul. The Taliban's first news conference with the Taliban

Spokespersons of the Zabihullah Mujahid calling the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan a great victory.

We have expelled the foreigners that it is a proud moment for the whole nation, also assuring those who've worked with Americans and allied forces

that there is a blanket amnesty that is being extended by the Taliban, and that they should not be worried that people will go door to door that

there's no danger.

Asked about female work by in fact a female reporter Zabihullah Mujahid said that women will be able to work within the framework of Sharia law

that's quite unclear because when the female reporter followed up, he said that will be clarified a little bit down the line.

Our Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour is with us, Arwa Damon; our Senior International Correspondent is with us as well. Christiane, I

mean, if you had told me a week ago that we'd be doing a special live show featuring a news conference by the Taliban with reporter questions from

Western reporters in the audience, I would have told you no. This is just too crazy. It has moved at lightning speed.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, that's clear. And clearly what they're doing is what they have been trying to project

since taking over Kabul and in fact, even before and that is a charm offensive.

They want international support. They want international legitimacy. Indeed, that was what the United States administration to an extent gambled

on. The people who were pro this rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, despite the fact that Taliban had not done the required

negotiations of the peace table and was busy you know, as you can see, taking up land.

They always maintained that the Taliban would want international legitimacy, international aid, and would therefore be a different kind of

Taliban that we knew in 96, and through to 2001. And what they're doing at this kind of press conference is trying to prove that.

So they're saying all the right things, if you go down the list, whether it's the economy, pledging that they will no longer be an opium economy,

whether it's international norms with other countries, pledging to abide by those diplomatic international norms, and calling for international

recognition.

Whether it is as everybody is watching about those Afghans who either worked with in the Afghan national forces, or indeed those who worked for

U.S. and other internationals, pledging that they would have, as they've said over and again in the last 72 hours a blanket amnesty.

And that they would not be going house to house and that they should stay for the betterment and the reconstruction of the country. Whether it's

women and as you point out, a woman journalist asked that question, but already they had preempted that question talked about women's rights.

But then adding in almost each case the notion of within the framework of Sharia law and to be honest, we just don't know what they mean by that. We

only know what they meant by those 20 years ago, when they were in power. That is what people have to look out for.

We have spoken to those who know the Taliban much better than anybody else who does not believe their promises. So we're just going to have to simply

wait and see how they actually enact their governance.

Remember, they have never governed before period, end of story. They have always imposed their will on the Afghan people.

GORANI: Yes. Sam Kiley joins us now as well. And as Christiane mentioned, the Taliban are saying the right things on the media, for instance, within

the framework of Islam, there's always that caveat, and they the media can have free reports and independent publications.

Arwa you've been to Afghanistan many times, obviously the Taliban as Christiane underlines, have never governed. What should we expect from them

now after a news conference like this one and of these promises made?

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hala there are a couple of things to point out as you know, Christiane, was mentioning. They

really did refer everything to within the framework of shittier law. And the big question is which version of Sharia law are they going to be

abiding by?

Is it that version that is that of 20 years ago? Or is it something new? You know, there are a number of modern scholars that have really emerged

over the last few decades who have studied the Quran.

[11:45:00]

DAMON: Remember the Quran is meant is the word of God whereas Sharia law is man's interpretation of the Quran. And there are a number of scholars who

have studied this and actually said that it deeply doesn't - women's rights and so that's going to be a crucial issue.

The other big challenge that they're going to potentially be facing is this with the drug trade, because they weren't the only entity that was

benefiting from the drug trade. You have the smugglers you have the warlord you have any number of other, you know, unsavory individuals who were also

benefiting from it.

So how are they all of a sudden going to about turn and begin cracking down and actually stopping not just know the trade of heroin, but also, right

now the growing trade of crystal meth? I think for a lot of people inside Afghanistan, despite what the Taliban is publicly saying over and over

again, it's still are a deep time of uncertainty.

And as we have been hearing, you know, when you keep caveat in everything by saying this is going to be happening within the framework of Sharia law,

without actually defining what it is minorities, women, girls, they are going to begin to feel as if they are being suffocated by this because the

lines, the guidance that they're supposed to abide by to stay out of trouble that has still not been defined.

GORANI: And this is happening in Kabul. Sam Kiley, what happens in other parts of Afghanistan is it very much a different picture when it comes to

how Taliban commanders run their own regions, their own provinces?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's going to be very, very hard indeed, for the Taliban to actually govern without the sort of

inclusive form of government that they've been promising.

Now that because Afghanistan is an entity that is basically made up of centrifugal forces, for example, if in Herat Ismail Khan, the famed warlord

there gave up without a fight, but he hasn't given up his capacity to fight. In Helmand, where 70 to 90 percent of the world's opium is produced

there was never really a Taliban insurgency there.

I spent six months with British troops there on the ground throughout a full NATO tour. And I'm pretty sure the Taliban shot at us about three

times. It was the drug lords down there, who were fighting Britain and largely American forces.

These are all entities that the Taliban are going to have to deal with. On top of that, the tribal rivalries, the ethnic rivalries, the linguistic

challenges, what are they going to do about the Hazara who Shia their whole number of the centrifugal forces.

So if they're not inclusive, the place could start spinning apart. And then of course, they will react inevitably, with the sort of oppression that

they used to impose their will back 20 years ago, back in 2001. But the biggest thing, the biggest challenges are, as already noted, that they've

given themselves is to try to put the only industry in Afghanistan, out of business, and there are a lot of guns and a lot of capacity for violence in

Helmand, and they will not go quietly Hala.

GORANI: And Christiane that, of course, raises the possibility that we could see a civil conflict within Afghanistan, just as the Taliban take

control in Kabul and the country's big cities.

AMANPOUR: You know that's always a possibility. Tragically, Afghanistan has been at war for 40 years uninterrupted. And that's a real tragedy. And it

is a very sort of fragmented nation. However, the big difference now and then the last time there was a full-fledged civil war between the Taliban

and what was the Northern Alliance, run by Ahmad Shah, Massoud Abdullah Abdullah was part of it, and others whose names are familiar, was part of

that.

You see, they actually controlled increasingly small parts of Afghanistan, but nonetheless, they had forces behind them. This is before 9/11 and up to

9/11. And so they did maintain a fight against the Taliban and maintained and kept up this Civil War.

Now that doesn't exist as Sam has laid out and others, the Taliban have, in fact hovered up the entire country. And whether or not that stays forever?

We'll wait to see. But right this minute, it's hard to imagine that there could be another fight mounted anytime soon.

Although there is a form of vice president who claims that he is the acting president now that Ashraf Ghani stood down, and he's made some very public

threats to resist the Taliban, whether that amounts to anything is unsure? And I don't think that's the central worry right now.

The central worry is can these people govern? How will they govern? Will women be safe? Will those Afghans be saved? And by the way, how does

Afghanistan remain? Will it be a safe haven again for terrorists despite what the spokesman said? There are links with Al Qaeda admittedly a

diminished Al Qaeda there are links with ISIS and other terrorists who maintain links.

[11:50:00]

AMANPOUR: And across the border, by the way, in Pakistan, you have the Prime Minister Imran Khan, actually describing the Taliban victory as an

end to slavery in Afghanistan. So just imagine Pakistan still has a huge interest in maintaining the Taliban and also to an extent inevitably

destabilizing Afghanistan and the West.

And what will other countries do? Will they recognize the Taliban? Will they put on conditions on the Taliban? Will they restrain the Taliban all

this is, is virgin territory right now.

GORANI: Sure, Russia, China, other countries as well. Now, regardless, really, of what this Taliban Spokesperson and what the Taliban over the

last few days, have said about the rights that they intend on giving women.

We saw on the streets of Kabul in Clarissa's report and other reporters on the ground, that people are afraid the shop that sells burkas is working

over-time, and the beauty salons are papering over or painting over images of women in their windows.

And Arwa really people are afraid that the fear is palpable, and they're waiting. It's a wait and sees game for them in terms of how the Taliban

will end up ruling, especially after the Americans leave the airport.

DAMON: And most certainly is Hala. But let's not forget that we're also seeing some extraordinary acts of bravery. I mean, female journalists,

Afghan female journalists going out and reporting in the streets. And from what I noticed wearing their headscarves exactly the way they used to

before the Taliban took over.

In other words, they're not wearing the full burkas. They're not even fully covering themselves, they still have a few wisps of hair coming out, and

they are out there they are reporting. But yes, of course, this is such an unpredictable time.

I mean, I could not even imagine what it must be like, for Afghans in Afghanistan at this moment, trying to wait and see. And then the emotions

of it all, you know, 20 years of no matter what anyone says, a certain measure of moving forward, at least when it comes to, you know women's

rights in the population centers.

And all of a sudden look at the life that one had, and begins to think about what life could be, has got to be terrifying. You know, we're hearing

from parents who remember what life was like under the Taliban, who wants to get out, they want to get their kids out.

They don't want to take that chance. We have countless Afghans who don't want to take that chance. And frankly, you know, can anyone really blame

them?

GORANI: Yes. Can anyone blame them? We see them at the airport, and others who can't make it necessarily to the airport in Kabul, and even more of

these Afghans who've worked with international organizations or the U.S. and their allies, NATO forces, who are maybe stranded outside in other

cities.

Sam Kiley, one interesting interview in the last hour was with UNICEF, Samantha Mort, who's the Spokesperson, said the Taliban visited their

offices in Kabul essentially on day one. And they asked UNICEF to stay and that UNICEF has said once they can assure the safety of all their staff,

they're going to resume operations.

Do you find visits like that, and initiatives like that surprising coming from the Taliban at this stage?

KILEY: It's exactly what their playbook would have required them to do, particularly in a city, like Kabul, whatever may be going on in the

provinces. And frankly, they won't have total control over their commanders in the provinces, but they have much tighter grip over the massive forces

that they've got in Kabul, this is a PR stunt.

Yes, it's probably also a genuine request in order to govern; they are going to have to use the offices, the good offices of the United Nations.

They will recall, or at least some of the older ones will recall that they were internationally isolated up until they were driven from power, barely

a nation on Earth recognized them.

It was extremely difficult for them to encourage NGOs and others to work in their territories, not least because of their oppressive policies and their

treatment of women. So they're going to have to mitigate that if they want to govern.

And so this sort of gesture, and they have been making these sorts of gestures and noises, even during the negotiations, insisting that they

wanted to be part of the international community that they wanted to be inclusive and that they want these international experts to remain behind.

But the critical question will be how does an Afghan male or female worker working for UNICEF who's been in receipt of what were always known as night

letters, death threats posted under the door of their home night after night for 20 years?

[11:55:00]

KILEY: This constant drip of propaganda terrorism against them trying to force them away from participating with the international community and the

central government that must get deeply into their souls in terms of the fear that they have for this new regime.

And that is something that if the regime is sincere, is going to take some undoing, and it may not be within their capabilities, or indeed within

their ideological intent to do that Hala.

GORANI: Christiane last word to you. I found it stunning, just how well prepared the Taliban was. They organized a press conference, they took

questions. They have their flag behind them. We've got a 3040 seconds here. What did you make of that?

AMANPOUR: Well, I think its par for the course. And it goes to what a Former American Military Commander said that over the last 18 months since

Trump started all the negotiations and stuff, they have used that time really well to prepare this kind of preparation on also battlefield

preparation.

And by contrast, the Afghan government did not and put its head in the sand and America cut the Afghan government out of the initial negotiations, and

gave the Taliban a timeline for which they would leave and the Taliban just sat and prepared and waited for this day.

GORANI: Christiana Amanpour thanks very much. Sam Kiley and Arwa Damon is in Istanbul. Thanks to all of you really some very interesting, fast moving

developments out of Kabul, as we continue to cover Afghanistan after a quick break. Do stay with us. I'm Hala Gorani. I'll see you on "Hala

Gorani" tonight in an hour. Meantime, stay tuned for more news on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN HOST: Hello I'm Eleni Giokos live from Dubai and this "One World".

END