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CNN Live At Daybreak

Sole Survivor Talks About Ahmed Shah Massoud Assassination

Aired October 26, 2001 - 06:22   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: More now for you on Afghanistan's civil war and the sole survivor of the suicide attack that killed a Northern Alliance's commander. It happened just two days before the September 11 attacks on the U.S.

CNN's Maria Ressa has more on that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Masood Khalili is the lone survivor of a suicide attack on September 9 which crippled the Northern Alliance. The target, its charismatic Commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, assassinated by men posing as Arab journalists. Khalili was sitting to Massoud's right when the camera exploded.

MASOOD KHALILI, NORTHERN ALLIANCE AMBASSADOR TO INDIA: I was screaming and then again I saw that the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) noise (ph) from the camera. Then I saw the hand of Commander pushing me back and I was unconscious. I'll never forget the face of my friend stained with blood.

RESSA: Khalili said the Northern Alliance has evidence the attack was the work of Osama bin Laden. He pointed out the attacks on the U.S. happened just two days later.

KHALILI: One thing we believe that it was a global network of Osama plus some others who killed Commander Massoud. I believe they said it was a global network of Qaeda and others who brought this catastrophe in New York.

RESSA: He says the Northern Alliance is cooperating with the U.S. now but hints this is an alliance of convenience.

KHALILI: The problem always has initiated -- originated from outside Afghanistan and caught up Afghanistan into turmoil. If Afghans are left alone, I think we are able to find out a solution as we've lived for centuries.

RESSA: Khalili said the plot to kill Massoud was set shortly after Massoud appealed to Europe for help in the fighting. Khalili barely survived the explosion. He can't see from his right eye and there are more than 400 pieces of shrapnel in his legs.

(on camera): Khalili says that has only strengthened his resolve to see the end of Taliban rule. As a Muslim, he says the U.S. attacks should continue through the coming holy month because, in Khalili's words, "Ramadan does not say not to kill terrorists."

Maria Ressa, CNN, New Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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