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American Morning

Afghan Aide Worker's Family Awaits Return

Aired November 08, 2001 - 09:56   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The War on Terrorism has separated many American families. It's not just those involved in the military effort.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's Thelma Gutierrez has just one case in point.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For 14-year- old Zohra Khalili, the days are long.

ZOHRA KHALILI: While he's gone, there are so many things that go on in my mind.

GUTIERREZ: She hasn't seen her father, Abul, in more than a month.

ZOHRA KHALILI: I go through so much pressure and stress thinking about where he is and how he is.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): Abul Khalili has traveled from Los Angeles to Afghanistan on relief missions since the earthquake there in 1998. On September 21, his family says he went again, with two California humanitarian organizations.

(voice-over): Since that time, his wife and daughter have not heard from him. All they know is that bombs are raining down on Afghanistan and he is there.

ZOHRA KHALILI: It really worried me how he's going to get through this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A truckload of wheat for refugees who have barely eaten in months.

GUTIERREZ: We showed Zarmina and Zohra a recent CNN story.

ZARMINA KHALILI: That's him.

GUTIERREZ: And they were able to see Abul on TV, in a refugee camp with fellow relief worker Dr. Ed Artis.

DR. ED ARTIS, RELIEF WORKER: Do you see all these faces? That's what we work for. We can have an impact here; as I said if you save one life, it's worth it.

GUTIERREZ: By coincidence, Abul and Dr. Artis were traveling together in Afghanistan and were featured in a CNN report on refugees. They are happy to see him, but their happiness is fleeting.

ZARMINA KHALILI: I saw the children. They're injured, and it tears up my heart into pieces.

GUTIERREZ: Each day, they wait for a chance to talk.

ZOHRA KHALILI: The first ring, I just with excitement. I run to the phone.

GUTIERREZ: Abul is finally able to call home on the satellite phone.

ZOHRA KHALILI: Dad?

ABUL KHALILI: How are you, darling?

ZOHRA KHALILI: I'm good.

GUTIERREZ: Zarmina arranges for us to be there when he calls.

ZOHRA KHALILI: Everybody missed you.

A. KHALILI: Yes, I missed you too.

GUTIERREZ: He tells his family the refugees need more tents, that it is cold, and conditions are bad -- that soon, he and the other relief workers will soon head to Mazar-e-Sharif. Nearby, there has been heavy bombing.

ZARMINA KHALILI: He said that the ground was shaking so hard it was like an earthquake.

ZOHRA KHALILI: Are you afraid?

A. KHALILI: No. That's my duty, to not be afraid.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): Do you ever feel like saying no, it's time to come home, I don't want you to go there?

ZARMINA KHALILI: No. I want him to go there and help the people. And the children. I want will never tell him don't go.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): They say it's his duty, and they're proud, but that doesn't make the good-byes any easier.

ZOHRA KHALILI: I want to say that I love you, and I hope you come back, and I pray for you.

A. KHALILI: Thank you very much. Thank you.

ZOHRA KHALILI: You're welcome. Bye.

A. KHALILI: Bye.

GUTIERREZ: Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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