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CNN Live At Daybreak

Taliban Prepared to Fight to the Death for Kandahar

Aired November 23, 2001 - 06:27   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Well despite heavy losses, the Taliban maintain that they're prepared to defend their stronghold of Kandahar to the death.

CNN's Nic Robertson looks beyond the rhetoric in this report from Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With their backs apparently against the wall, the Taliban are talking an increasingly tough game.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will defend our nation, and we will defend our religion until we are alive and...

ROBERTSON: Taliban fighters back safe from the north, their spokesman says, and now ready, willing and able to make a stand in their ethnic homeland. But beyond the rhetoric lies the truth.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is not possible for any power in the world to take the heart of the society of the Islamic and mujahideen society of Afghanistan.

ROBERTSON: Confident communications from the Taliban abounded before the recent rout at the hands of the Northern Alliance. So why should they be believed now? Perhaps because they believe in themselves and their God.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are told that almighty Allah will help us to retrieve these forces.

ROBERTSON: Perhaps it's just, whatever the odds, their commanders here say they are willing to die.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The Taliban, as true Muslims, are looking to become martyrs. We want to die for a cause while others want to live.

ROBERTSON: What counted against them in north, particularly in the more westernized urban cities, was the enforcement of their harsh brand of Islam, derived as much from their rural ethnic Pashtun background as from the Koran.

In Kandahar and the neighboring provinces they say they control, the Taliban are among their own ethnic kin. So far, the Pashtun tribes in southeastern corner of Afghanistan have not raised sufficient opposition to dent those claims. However, in time-honored Afghan style, alliances could -- and maybe will -- switch.

Local leaders will choose to do what they think is best for their communities. And here, that generally means backing the winner.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

ROBERTSON (on camera): If the Taliban's rout in the north was a strategic withdrawal, they are gambling their Pashtun popularity and harsh Islamic rule against whatever the Northern Alliance, the United Nations and the international community can offer. At stake: their future as a political and military force and the possibility of life on the run for key leaders and even the chance of death at the hands of an angry mob if they really have called it wrong.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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