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CNN Live Sunday

Anti-Taliban Pashtun Forces Become Key Factor in Afghanistan's Political Future

Aired November 11, 2001 - 18:05   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Since the beginning of the airstrikes against Afghanistan, there's been much talk about the Northern Alliance. But another anti-Taliban group, the Pashtun forces, are emerging as a key factor in that country's political future. And CNN's Rebecca MacKinnon has more now on the so-called Eastern Alliance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A 70-year-old man with scars on his feet. The Taliban, he says, made him stand on hot coals. And for 15 days, he was jailed and tortured.

This man says he narrowly escaped arrest last month.

None of these men seeking refuge in Peshawar, Pakistan would give their names, for fear of reprisals against relatives still in Afghanistan. Their leader, exiled commander Hanji Zaman, knows all about reprisals. He says his uncle and 10 followers are now in a Taliban jail because of his anti-Taliban activities.

HANJI ZAMAN: The Taliban used force to -- we want to win over the heart of the people by giving them the right to speak their mind.

MACKINNON: For the past month, Zaman has been organizing fellow veterans of the anti-Soviet known as the Mujahedeen, in particular, Pashtuns from East Afghanistan. As they listen to the "Voice of America" for the latest news, Zaman's followers are cheered by the Northern Alliance victory over Mazar-e-Sharif.

ZAMAN: Now those who want the great of Afghanistan now should focus on the Eastern zone. They should not concentrate on Kabul now.

MACKINNON: He says if the Northern Alliance, comprised mainly of ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks, moves on Kabul without including Pashtun forces from the East and the South, Afghanistan cannot be unified.

(on camera): This courtyard is the brand new headquarters for what's called the Eastern Shurra (ph), representing commanders from four different eastern provinces of Afghanistan. Now that United States has helped the Northern Alliance take Mazar-e-Sharif, the Eastern Shurra (ph) is hoping that the United States will help them do the same for their part of Afghanistan. (voice-over): But unlike Northern Alliance, the Eastern Pashtuns have no standing forces and say they have no weapons, other than a few guards with Kalashnikovs.

(on camera): Where will those guns come from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anybody. Not really, doesn't matter, Americans who join us. Anybody, international community, who are against terrorism we expect and hope that they will come and help us.

MACKINNON: So you're looking for military and financial assistance?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course.

MACKINNON (voice-over): One thing the Eastern Shurra (ph) doesn't like, U.S. airstrikes and their civilian casualties. They say it hurts efforts to create political opposition. They say the money spent on bombs would be better spent on them, for arms and training and a bit of helicopter support.

Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN, Peshawar, Pakistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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