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CNN Sunday Morning

Pakistan a Key Ally to U.S.

Aired September 30, 2001 - 11:35   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Pakistan is key to U.S. calculations because of geography, because of politics. For more on that, let's go to Kyra Phillips in Atlanta - Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Pakistan has become a key ally in the U.S. campaign against terrorism despite the fact that it's the only country that continues to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan is crucial right now for several strategic reasons. Pakistan has up to eight military bases that could be used. Five of those bases border Afghanistan and could help the U.S. to launch anti-terrorism strikes. Pakistan has said it will allow U.S. aircraft to use its air space but has not been confirmed whether or not it will allow the U.S. to use its air bases for offensive strikes.

Now, as you can see, the Pakistani bases could benefit the U.S. because they are much closer to Afghanistan than any battle group that could be stationed in the Arabian Sea or Persian Gulf.

We know that USS Enterprise and Carl Vincent are already in these areas. So what would a carrier strike look like from that region? If you take a look at this animation, the distance could be up to 2,000 miles one way for a strike fighter to reach Afghanistan. That makes airborne refueling and pilot fatigue significant issues.

So what is Pakistan doesn't allow aircraft and troops to deploy from its air bases, the military is looking to other options - Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which all border Afghanistan, could become the launch pad for U.S. strikes. All these countries have offered their air space but differences remain on the use of some air bases for offensive strike.

As for Iran, it has said it will participate in a worldwide campaign against terrorism as long as it was under the offices of the United Nations. And China, which shares a very narrow border with Afghanistan, has tightened security in the region but is dealing with its own simmering Muslim separatist problems.

Now, on other note, the State Bank of Pakistan has ordered banks to freeze assets of 27 groups suspected or terrorist links.

That's the latest form here. Back to you Jeanne. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com