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American Morning

Pakistan Sending 2,000 Army Troops to Charman Border

Aired November 16, 2001 - 07:34   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: Millions of Muslims around the world today have begun the celebration of Ramadan, the holiest month of the year. It began as clerics spotted the new moon. Despite the period of prayer, the U.S. has said it will not halt its attacks against Afghanistan, that, despite appeals from Islamic leaders and some Muslim countries, including Pakistan.

CNN correspondent Carol Lin is in the Pakistani city of Quetta just across the border from Afghanistan.

Good morning, Carol.

CAROL LIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Paula.

Well, while U.S. air strikes continue through Ramadan, the Pakistani army is on the move as well. We have learned that the Pakistani government is sending some 2,000 troops, as well as six tanks, to the Charman border crossing, that is the main border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Yesterday, when we were at the border, we did see a lot of activity, several Afghans trying to get across from the other side as well as a heavy presence of frontier police officers armed with light machineguns. Their presence was built up as well. They are the border patrol, but however, next to them were army troops digging trenches, preparing to settle in for a time. And this was very unusual. This is the largest military build up on the Pakistani- Afghan border since the end of the Soviet-Afghan War.

And what we're being told is that the Pakistani government is concerned about several things now that the dynamic is changing inside of Afghanistan. A hornet's nest of trouble potentially brewing on the border with anti-Taliban groups on the Afghan side, not friendly either to the Pakistani government, and the Pakistani government concerned about Pashtuns in Afghanistan who are angry with Pakistan for siding with the U.S. air strikes.

Also, Paula, we want to show you that a bit of a propaganda war being raged right here in Quetta. The morning headlines today. This one, Taliban supporters saying, "Al Qaeda Still in Action and Dozens of Americans Dead." No evidence of that, of course. And here, "America Says It Did Not Betray Pakistan." A feeling here inside of Pakistan that because the Northern Alliance has taken Kabul that a promise has been broken that they -- a coalition government would be formed that would include a Pashtun majority. That, of course, still being worked out here -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks, Carol Lin, appreciate that report.

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