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CNN Live At Daybreak

Tokyo Meeting Focuses on Donations to Rebuild Afghanistan

Aired January 21, 2002 - 05:02   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Dozens of countries and organizations began a two day meeting in Tokyo today aimed at rebuilding Afghanistan.

As CNN's Andrea Koppel reports, global donations are needed to fund a long list of projects.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fresh from his own quick tour of Afghanistan's capital and determined to ensure this donor's conference remains focused on resources, not rhetoric, Secretary of State Powell laid out the United States' bottom line, pledging $296 million to help rebuild Afghanistan.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: President Bush, the Congress of the United States, the American people fully recognize that this is the first contribution to what must be and will be a multi-year effort.

KOPPEL: Preliminary assessments by the World Bank have already predicted Afghanistan will need at least $1.7 billion in reconstruction assistance in the first year and an estimated $10 billion over the next five years. Appealing to representatives of 60 countries and 20 international organizations gathered here in Tokyo, the head of Afghanistan's interim government said that before fleeing Kabul, the Taliban made sure the cupboards were completely bare, even looting the central bank.

HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN INTERIM GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN: So there is almost nothing. And in order to enable the interim administration to deliver the basics to the Afghan people, including salaries, we unfortunately, as I stand here, need immediate input of cash into the Afghan administration.

KOPPEL: The list of what's needed seems endless -- fresh drinking water, roads, schools, houses, demining a country littered with them and providing adequate security to ensure the money gets where it's supposed to go. But privately U.S. officials say the money won't start to flow until the interim Afghan government lays out specific projects and ensures accountability. Chairman Karzai's concern that this support is not short-lived.

KARZAI: We have one fear, that without the full partnership with the international community, Afghanistan may falter again. And I believe that's the reason we are all here today.

KOPPEL (on camera): Secretary of State Powell said the message from the Bush administration is clear -- the war in Afghanistan may be nearing its end, but this donors conference here in Tokyo is just the beginning of what will be a long-term U.S. commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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