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CNN Live At Daybreak

Powell Visits Afghanistan

Aired January 17, 2002 - 06:05   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.
America's commitment to the new Afghan government is symbolized by the highest-ranking U.S. official visit in more than a quarter century. CNN's Michael Holmes reports from Kabul on the message that came with the man.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Cash, security and commitment, that's what the Afghan leadership wants from the U.S. and the world. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) today at the presidential palace in Kabul Colin Powell assured the interim president Hamid Karzai of all three.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We'll work with you in restoring your health care systems and your educational systems and all the other systems that one requires to be successful in the 21st Century. You can take that message to the Afghan people that the American people are committed.

HOLMES: The first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to Kabul since Henry Kissinger was here 25 years ago. Financial assistance dominated Powell's meeting with the Afghan cabinet. This country is broke, as well as broken, and government officials say the administration here could lose credibility with the people at any time if money isn't forthcoming to fulfill some of the promises already made.

Hamid Karzai appeared to like what he heard.

HAMID KARZAI, CHAIRMAN, INTERIM GOVERNMENT: We're trying to have the institutions that will have the capability to absorb money and then spend it in Afghanistan.

HOLMES: An assurance, too, from Hamid Karzai that whatever money does arrive will be well spent. Corruption and warlords still a concern here.

KARZAI: One area where we will be extremely tough and rather oppressive will be against corruption. So trust us there -- we'll be -- we'll be very, very, very rough there. There is no way that we can allow that. No way because we know if we allow that, the country will not do well.

HOLMES: Later, still under tight security Secretary Powell made a significant and symbolic announcement that the U.S. liaison office here would again be known as the U.S. embassy, the charge d'faire (ph) Ryan Crocker, now the ambassador.

He reiterated that the U.S. would not abandon Afghanistan.

POWELL: We're here to stay. We are committed to the future of this country.

HOLMES (on camera): Some welcome news for the Afghan administration, Colin Powell confirming that in a matter of days nearly $250 million of Afghan assets frozen since 1999 will be freed up.

The administration here is also hoping for some more good news and some more cash from Tokyo next week. That's when a meeting of donor countries takes place. Colin Powell will be there too. He says the U.S. contribution will be, in his words, significant.

Michael Holmes, CNN, at the U.S. embassy in Kabul.

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