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CNN Live At Daybreak

Target: Terrorism - Taliban Says Enemies of Taliban Are Traitors

Aired October 03, 2001 - 08:19   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The supreme leader of Afghanistan who says anyone who supports enemies of the Taliban will be considered a traitor. He says that is an offense that could be punishable by death.

CNN's Matthew Chance joins us now from northern Afghanistan, area controlled by the so-called Northern Alliance opposition to the Taliban -- Matthew, hello.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, that's right.

All day out of northern Afghanistan here, we've been reporting renewed military activity, not here where we're standing but hundreds of kilometers to the west in a much more remote region. There are reports of territory being gained by the forces of the opposition anti-Taliban united front here in northern Afghanistan.

There is also talk of lots of diplomatic initiatives under way, particularly daily contacts between officials of the United Front Northern Alliance here and the United States administration.

Well, joining us now to discuss both of those issues is the foreign minister of the United Front, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Thanks very much for joining us, first of all.

ABDULLAH ABDULLAH, NORTHERN ALLIANCE FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you.

CHANCE: What kind of meetings are you having with the Americans, and what's being discussed?

ABDULLAH: We are having daily regular contacts, and we are discussing all aspects of our cooperation in the war against terror.

CHANCE: Now, there are reports of more fighting to the west of where we are standing here. What's the latest information you have on that?

ABDULLAH: In the past few days, our forces have been able to liberate areas in northwestern Afghanistan, in northern Afghanistan, as well as in eastern part of Afghanistan. So some districts have been liberated, and large areas have been liberated from the Taliban. We will continue to pursue our offensive strategy, which will be small-scale offensives in different parts of the country.

CHANCE: Now, of course, we haven't been able to get there to sort of independently verify exactly what's been happening. But what, if anything, have you been promised in terms of military assistance from the United States or other countries?

ABDULLAH: About -- it is not suggest the issue of military assistance. It is the issue of cooperation -- bilateral cooperation and coordination of efforts. After all, we have been fighting against terrorist groups for years alone.

Now, there is a chance in the international alliance wants to join in the war and to strike terrorist groups in Afghanistan in order to eradicate terrorism and those who have harbored terrorism in Afghanistan. So we have been discussing all aspects of this cooperation and coordination.

CHANCE: Now, a large body of the territory of Afghanistan, perhaps as much as 95 percent, is still under the control of the forces of the Taliban. How do you think a situation is going to emerge where that's going to change? What do you anticipate?

ABDULLAH: Well, first of all, the territory currently under the control of Taliban is something between 25 percent -- 75 percent of the territory. So between 25 percent to 30 percent of the country is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that are controlled. This is the situation.

But in the whole areas under Taliban control, there are Taliban forces, terrorist groups which are ruling by (UNINTELLGIBLE) the population are against Taliban. So that the chances of support -- popular support from the areas which currently under Taliban control, it is a potential which has to be used.

CHANCE: All right. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, thank you very much for joining us here today.

ABDULLAH: Thank you.

CHANCE: Thanks, Miles -- and back to you in the studio.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Matthew Chance with the Northern Alliance -- we appreciate that.

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