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CNN Live At Daybreak

Talks in Germany Turn Focus on Government Positions and Women's Rights

Aired November 30, 2001 - 05:13   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: Just mentioned a moment ago about the talks going on outside of Bonn, Germany. The purpose, trying to form that transitional government for Afghanistan.

With more on that, we go to Bettina Luescher, who is covering those talks for us -- Bettina, good to see you again.

BETTINA LUESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, right behind me, of course, on top of that hill is the Petersburg Guest House, where the Afghan delegations this morning are meeting with the U.N. special representatives to take a check on where exactly they stand in these talks. They have come out with lists of names that they want to be in this next government, in this next transitional government and in this next transitional parliament and then they will have to come and decide and hope for an agreement. The U.N. saying they have hit choppy waters but they are still steering here clearly on course. They are hoping to wrap things up by tomorrow, at the latest by Sunday.

One important issue that many people around the world and here are focusing on, of course, is the role of women.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUESCHER (voice-over): They were hidden from our eyes behind the burkhas. They were kept out of schools and universities. They were forbidden to work to feed their children. The women of Afghanistan -- now a few of them are back in the limelight.

SIMA WALI, EXILED KING'S DELEGATION: Afghanistan is a nation of widows right now and a nation of female beggars. We need, we have a very difficult struggle to transform our society into a nation.

LUESCHER: Sima Wali has lived for decades in exile. Now she sits at the power table at the Afghan talks, representing the group of former Afghan King Zahir Shah. Together with two other women, full delegates, are very different style, tradition, background, but sharing one goal, get into the government.

AMENA AFZALI, NORTHERN ALLIANCE: God willing, more women will participate in future supreme councils, which is what we always wanted. LUESCHER: Amena Afzali is a delegate for the Northern Alliance here, the respected widow of a former Mujahideen leader who was killed fighting Soviet occupation.

(on camera): Women had strongly lobbied the U.N. to ensure they had a place at the table, to ensure they had a say in Afghanistan's future.

(voice-over): But how much will they really get? How many rights will they win back? These protesters demand a larger say, a larger role for women and many share their concern that women could once again be left out.

EMMA BONINO, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: I think it's too early to be optimistic and the signs coming from Kabul are not very positive as far as women are concerned. And that's why it's very important that we continue in order to have women in the government with visible responsibility.

LUESCHER: International donors have said they will only give aid if human rights, especially women's rights, will be protected. And so there's a promise by one Afghan leader and a promise to check on him by one Afghan woman.

ABDUL SATTAR SIRAT, EXILED KING'S DELEGATION: There is no certain number until now. We haven't decided yet. But there will be women.

AFZALI: I'm here to make sure that that happens.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LUESCHER: So clearly the world is watching, the women are watching and people are trying to come up with a fair scenario that people who live in Afghanistan are really getting a fair representation in this next government, in this next parliament, and that is really what these meetings here outside of Bonn are all about -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Bettina, what about the role that's being talked about for the former king that has spent so many years in Rome, Italy?

LUESCHER: That's still not quite decided. They are still talking about exactly what kind of role he should play. He is widely respected in Afghanistan and there's talk about a symbolic role. There's another talk whether maybe he could send a deputy in there as a possible leader of one of the, either the next government or the next parliament. But the issue of what exactly, what kind of role this 87-year-old exiled king could play is still not quite resolved. Again, also, one of those details that still have to be worked out here -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Still some work to do.

Bettina Luescher, just outside of Bonn, Germany.

Bettina, thank you.

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