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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bonn Chosen for Afghan Meeting Because of Good Relations Between Germany and Previous Afghan Governments

Aired November 26, 2001 - 06:44   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, of course, tomorrow is a telling day for the future of Afghanistan. The United Nations has invited four Afghan groups to discuss forming Afghanistan's new government. Now, leaders from the Northern Alliance will be among the four, and as CNN's Bettina Luscher explains, why the U.N. chose to hold this meeting in Bonn, Germany.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETTINA LUSCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An Afghan king comes visiting. Back in 1963, Zahir Shah tours West Germany at the height of the Cold War. Germany is divided by an iron curtain. Afghanistan is at the doorsteps of the feared Soviet Union, but a neutral country, and Bonn is looking for good friends in faraway places.

CITHA MAASS, GERMAN INSTITUTE: What is hardly known is that there are about 100 years of very good relations between both countries. They date back to the early beginnings of the 20th century, when there was still the German empire in Germany, and he and the Afghan king established the first relations.

LUSCHER: Today, the Kaiser is long gone, but Germany is still a desired destination for Afghan leaders, even if the frail king can only send envoys to Bonn.

JOSCHKA FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We are glad and honored to be the hosts for this meeting, and what we can do will contribute.

LUSCHER: Germany has already spent $45 million this year in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and is promising another $70 million.

MAASS: Joschka Fischer emphasized about three months ago, even before the 11th of September, that the German government, and especially the foreign ministry, should really concentrate on Central Asia, because of these many conflicts burning there.

LUSCHER: At the U.N., they appreciate the German role.

FRANCESC VENDRELL, U.N. DEP. ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN: But I do think that it is fitting that Germany is where they're to have a conference in Europe. It should be in Germany, because there is a core of German intellectuals and German academics, who are extremely knowledgeable about Afghanistan. There are many Afghans living in Germany, and the German government is currently the head of chairing the Afghan support group.

LUSCHER: That support group is to lead the effort to raise billions of dollars to help rebuild Afghanistan.

(on camera): Some 90,000 Afghans have fled the violence and taken refuge in Germany. It's the largest Afghan community in Europe. Many refugees hope this conference will be a first step towards peace in their homeland.

(voice-over): One more reason Bonn was chosen, the conference site, the Petersberg Hotel, which has hosted scores of summits. It sits on top of a mountain and can easily be sealed off from curious journalists, and more importantly, possible terrorists.

Bettina Luscher, CNN, Bonn.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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