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CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: Pakistan Protests United States

Aired September 21, 2001 - 08:01   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: For the very latest coming from Afghanistan, our own Christiane Amanpour. She listened as the Taliban held a new conference in Islamabad, Pakistan about four hours ago -- Christiane.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Stand by. Well, Paula, they did hold this Taliban news conference here, and they basically were asked point-blank: Are you going hand over Osama bin Laden, as the president of the United States demanded in his speech last night? They said, no.

And we also asked them what they thought about the president's speech, which he made a very harsh condemnation of the Taliban, and essentially some analysts think that describing their harshness to the people of Afghanistan, perhaps the U.S. making a case for eventually overthrowing the Taliban.

The Taliban responding that any attack from the United States would impose on all Muslims, in their view of Islam, the obligation to go to holy war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SOHAIL SHAHEEN, TALIBAN EMBASSY SPOKESMAN: During American attack, if Muslims (UNINTELLIGIBLE) extend cooperation to the infidels, assist them and carry out espionage activities for them, he is then considered as foreign aggressor and his murder becomes an obligation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR: Well, harsh words and continued same threat, it's not considered likely by Pakistan here that the Taliban could mount any kind of invasion, although they are obviously concerned about security and the possibility of political destabilization.

Today was a very important day in terms of gauging public opinion. There have been several demonstrations across Pakistan today. These were demonstrations called by extremist Islamists here, who are opposed to President Musharraf's decision to stand with the United States. There was the bigotry burning of U.S. flags, burning pictures and effigies of President Bush, and chanting anti-American slogans. However, those people who were at those demonstrations report that in general they were less violent than had been expected, and they were fairly well contained. There are some unconfirmed reports of violence at one of the demonstrations in Karachi south of here, and there has been a strong police presence out on the street.

Now, one thing we hear over and over again from Pakistanis, and indeed from the Taliban, is that people on the street want to know the evidence for the United States pointing the finger at Osama bin Laden. Well, U.S. officials as we know have, in the past, presented evidence to the Taliban for previous attacks on the United States.

But a senior Western diplomat telling CNN and other reporters here today that the United States is likely to give a detailed briefing of its case so far to the president and the government of Pakistan. And in addition, the United States is likely soon to lift sanctions imposed both on Pakistan and India for their nuclear programs, to lift some of those sanctions and consider debt relief for the Pakistani government as a way to bolster their economy and keeping a strong partner here in Pakistan during this moment of crisis -- Paula.

ZAHN: Christiane, any word on a timeline for those meetings that might take place between U.S. government officials and Pakistani officials?

AMANPOUR: No specific word; simply they are telling us that this is likely to happen soon. And clearly, they know and they are aware of the pressure, basically, from the street on the government of Pakistan. And we are told by Western diplomats that they want to do all they can to bolster the government's position here at this time.

ZAHN: Christiane Amanpour, thank you so much for that update. We will see you throughout the morning with all the other latest developments.

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