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CNN Sunday Morning
World Leaders Push for Multiethnic Government in Afghanistan
Aired November 18, 2001 - 08:17 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Well down in Crawford, Texas it's been nearly a week for the president when it comes to negotiating arms deals, also talking about war strategy and all of it conducted under the open skies of the wide open spaces of Texas.
Major Garrett has been with the president down there and joins us with more.
Good morning to you, Major.
MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Marty.
You know this is the first bit of rest and relaxation the president has had since September 11, and he spent this week, along with his top advisers, paying very close attention to what's happening in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul. He and other diplomats see that the Northern Alliance, which is now in control of Kabul, have begun to take some moves that might suggest they're trying to form a de facto government in that capital city. They're confiscating weapons, patrolling the streets in a police function and also beginning to occupy some former Taliban government ministries.
All of this has raised a question among top U.S. officials: Is the Northern Alliance trying to make a government when the United Nations and the coalition partners are not ready and have not yet formed this broader or ethnically diverse government for the nation of Afghanistan?
Well, the U.S. has sent, through very top channels, messages to the Northern Alliance not to go so fast, but in fact, keep your powder dry, wait for the world community to put together a multiethnic broad- based government for Afghanistan and don't get too far ahead of yourselves. The Northern Alliance says it has received these messages and is only trying to provide security and stability in that capital city and that it will not move ahead of the international community. Nevertheless, this will be a test for President Bush and President Putin who had spent two days here in Crawford, Texas for the Texas part of their Bush-Putting summit.
Now the Russian government has made it very clear that it is sympathetic to the Northern Alliance. Why, well because the Northern Alliance is primarily made up of Tajiks and Uzbeks, former members of the Soviet Union. Now it will be up to the president of the United States and president of Russia, Mr. Putin, to make sure that the international community does what it says it's going to do and create that broad-based government in Afghanistan.
As far as the U.S. is concerned, that is a top priority. Why, well because it doesn't want to have to revisit the issue of Afghanistan yet again in five years. They want a stable, broad-based and peaceful government that will no longer become a haven for terrorists. And it's a big test for the administration in the coming days and weeks and months ahead -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Major, it seems if something isn't done soon you're going to have a nation that's divided, meaning Afghanistan with the Northern Alliance up north and then you have the Pashtun down south. What can the president do beyond give words as far as trying to prevent this?
GARRETT: What the administration is doing -- the president has a special envoy, James Dobbins who is there. He's also working through the U.N. envoy Mr. Brahimi. And essentially, they're appealing to the Northern Alliance to do everything they can to keep an open mind, meet with representatives from other tribes.
But you've pointed out a very important factor here, Marty, and that is there is a military campaign still going on in the southern part of the country. And as long as that's going on, there's a bit of distraction in the air. And the U.S. has made it abundantly clear priority No. 1 in Afghanistan is achieving military objectives, which is to defeat the Taliban and completely rid the country of the al Qaeda terrorist network. And while that work is going on, it's a little bit more difficult to deal with all these political intricacies, nevertheless, it's a top priority for the administration. The president will be dealing with them as best he can -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Well, Major, I imagine his plate's pretty full. Thank you very much.
Major Garrett reporting to us from Crawford, Texas.
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