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CNN Live At Daybreak

Peacekeepers, Firefighters in Afghanistan

Aired December 21, 2001 - 05:04   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, the first members of a multinational peacekeeping force are now on the ground in Afghanistan.

And CNN's John Vause looks at their mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Touchdown at Bagram Air Base, 53 Royal Marines, the first contingent of an international force here to secure the Afghan capital, Kabul. Over the next 24 hours, another 200 British troops are expected to arrive. They'll take up positions for the swearing in ceremony of the new interim government on Saturday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are not here to take over the country. We are not here to run things, far from it.

VAUSE: Sixteen donations will ultimately contribute up to 6,000 troops. They're authorized to use force, but only as a last resort. It's a dangerous mission both on the ground and diplomatically. The interim defense minister, General Fahim, called for fewer troops in a more symbolic role with no authority to arrest or de-arm dissident Afghans. But that's at odds with members of his own government and the U.N.

SIR JEREMY GREENSTOCK, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: One has to recognize the culture of the Afghan people. Secondly, the political structure is young. It's fragile and different ministers will be working out different relationships in what is basically a coalition government. And that's why I put the diplomatic task first.

VAUSE: The initial mandate is for six months. To move beyond that will require another U.N. resolution. Still, the multinational force could be on the ground in Afghanistan for two years.

John Vause, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLAWAY: And from one recovery effort to another, humanitarian aid makes the journey now from New York to Afghanistan. A group of New York firefighters arrived today at Bagrham Air Base. They brought several tons of food for the Afghan people and they also have gifts and supplies for U.S. marines that are working there. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM MCDONALD, NEW YORK CITY POLICE: We wanted to come see the troops and tell them how proud we are of the job that they're doing. It's the main reason and also to bring some aid to the people of Afghanistan, show them, you know, that we don't hold the people of Afghanistan accountable for the actions of a small few and that we're bigger than this and we'll help them if we can.

GEORGE HIGGINS, NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT: I also have some pieces of concrete from the World Trade Center. Myself and Don Haye (ph), Chief Haye behind me, spent quite a few days there digging some of our brothers out. And for us to be here from ground zero to ground zero is extremely emotional. I'm so proud to be here right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLAWAY: And those firefighters also brought toys and candy for the Afghan children. They will deliver those treats at an orphanage later today.

More U.S. forces are deploying in the anti-terror war. A group of New Hampshire National Guard members departed last night for their support duty. The guard will refuel planes in Europe in their 90-day tour. And it may be the holidays, but members of this group say that they are ready to go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER: You can celebrate Christmas any time as long as you're with your family. And they'll miss me and I'll miss them, but they're very proud of me going and I'm proud to go and happy to go with this unit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER: This is the job that we've trained for. We know we're doing the right thing. So it's, it's sad to see them go but it's good, too. It's good that we're doing what needs to be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLAWAY: The members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing are replacing other members of their unit who returned from Europe on Monday.

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