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CNN Live At Daybreak

Commerce Emerging Once Again in Kabul

Aired January 24, 2002 - 06:52   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: In Kabul, Afghanistan's ruined capital city, some things are getting back to normal or as normal as can be expected in wartime. Across the city, merchants are putting the wheels of commerce back on the city.

CNN's Michael Holmes has that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mohammed (ph) has been taking what they call here "instant photos" for 48 years, the last 40 of them with this camera.

(on camera): Now we're opposite the prison.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

HOLMES: This would be handy for mug shots, wouldn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly.

HOLMES: Right. OK, can you take my photo?

MOHAMMED (ph) (through translator): Yes, of course, why not?

HOLMES: I thought he'd say yes.

(voice-over): We'll come back to Mohammed.

(on camera): Now there's a lot of stores in the West that have a sign at the front that says mind your step. Now here they really mean it.

(voice-over): Specialty stores are Kabul's forte.

(on camera): This is something you need to replace in Kabul, don't you, because the traffic here you lose these every day.

(voice-over): Over the road, the hubcap store. Nothing else, just hubcaps. There's heavy competition in the row of snow chain stores, homemade by youthful hands. Whatever you want, Kabul has it. Maybe not as hygienically presented as you're used to, but it is here.

(on camera): Kabul is famous for its rugs. They're cheap, they're plentiful, they're good quality. And if you want an old one, no problem, put it on the road for a while.

(voice-over): Meanwhile, back at Mohammed's instant photo shop.

(on camera): Oh, thank you. Oh yes. It's good -- good.

Now in a city that has it all, we can get pens, we can get a Cupie doll and don't forget the ubiquitous toy AK-47. Oh she -- he likes the doll better. OK that's good. That's a good sign.

(voice-over): How's that carpet going?

(on camera): So when they say instant photo,...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

HOLMES: ... it's not so instant.

Chicago Bulls. L.A. Raiders, they lost.

(voice-over): The international community wants Afghanistan to foster industry, commerce, but the seeds of it are already here at street level. These are people who have been doing business for centuries and they're good at it. Just because it's not a shiny mall doesn't mean the system doesn't work.

Pit stop at the bicycle repair store. Slightly used tires on sale. Satellite dishes homemade, a decoder from Pakistan, and viola, CNN.

(on camera): If you ever wondered what happened to those socks you lost in the dryer, here they are.

(voice-over): Used electrical wire, here's your man. Over the road, pre-loved sewing machines. And for those who like to sleep in, try getting this to work.

Meanwhile, back at Mohammed's.

(on camera): I have developed a slight skin disease, but apart from that, I think it's good work.

(voice-over): I think that carpet's ready.

Michael Holmes, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Well, you got to have a sense of humor, don't you?

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