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Karzai Undeterred by Assassination Attempt

Aired September 06, 2002 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin with this dramatic new video of yesterday's failed attempt to kill the president of Afghanistan. More than a dozen people are in custody now. Meanwhile, in Kabul, Hamid Karzai is vowing to continue with his presidency.
CNN's Matthew Chance joins us now live from the capital -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is right, Kyra. A number of people have indeed been taken into custody. Investigations continue into who exactly, what group, that may have been behind this assassination attempt against Hamid Karzai. We have that quite dramatic video which we can bring to you now, showing the chaos of the moment there, rapid, intensive machine gun fire. That coming from U.S. bodyguards as they opened fire against the solo gunman who stepped forward out of the crowd and fired two shots into the car of Hamid Karzai, just missing the president. It emerged later that the man, the gunman, Abdur Rehman was a member of the local security forces, had been recruited just weeks before. Caught in the crossfire also, a member of the Afghan security services as well as a local civilian, who had attempted to thwart the assassination attempt and, indeed, to some extent, had succeeded in that.

Hamid Karzai now back in Kabul, saying that despite this latest attempt on his life -- he has been subject to a number throughout his lifetime, he says -- it will not interfere, will not deter him from carrying on his duties, his public duties in office as the leader of Afghanistan -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Matthew Chance live from Kabul, thank you.

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