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CNN Live Event/Special

America Under Attack: Developing News in Pakistan

Aired September 14, 2001 - 02:12   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.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take you to Pakistan now. We've got some news developing out of there.

Tom Mintier's been monitoring the situation in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, where the Taliban have an announcement from their embassy. Pakistan, being one of the few countries that have diplomatic relations with the Taliban.

He joins us now live with more. Tom, what have you got?

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Colleen, we're expecting a statement from Mulla Omar. He is the head of the Taliban government. It is going to be released here, in Islamabad, Pakistan, at the Taliban Embassy here in Islamabad. Now the reporters are inside the room already, and any minute we're expecting to hear a statement read out by the ambassador here in Islamabad from Mulla Omar.

Now, this could be a hardening of their position or a change of their position. It's still too early to say. But in the next few moments we're going to be hearing - although indirectly - from the Taliban government, through their spokesman here in Islamabad, possibly about resolution of this situation, as I said earlier, or possibly even a hardening of the situation.

They have always said that one of the conditions - if the United States could provide concrete evidence to them - that they would turn Osama bin Laden over to an Islamic court. But, again, probably a condition the United States would not accept. But it has been their long-standing position.

What we may hear, in the next few minutes, is a possible change in that position, but we'll have to wait and see. Right now, that meeting is going on inside the Taliban Embassy here in Islamabad, and we expect in the next few minutes to hear what this announcement is from the Taliban government, of their position as it stands this morning - Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: All right, Tom. And, of course, we'll come back to you just as soon as you get it. So stay with us right here. Tom, thanks very much.

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