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CNN Live Sunday

Afghans Exercise New Freedoms

Aired December 23, 2001 - 18:09   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: This day was day one of life in the new Afghanistan. The interim government, just 24 hours into office, got right to work, while the people of Kabul exercised some of their newly restored freedoms.

CNN's John Vause was there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Perhaps a sign of the urgency and the huge job ahead today, Hamid Karzai called his interim administration together for a meeting at the presidential palace less than 24 hours after they were sworn in at a special ceremony at the interior ministry.

Top of the agenda at that meeting: security for the people of Afghanistan. Also, de-arming warlords, and also restoring law and order across the country. They also need to build a civil service, to establish a central bank so billions of dollars of aid can start flowing into this shattered country.

Also today on the streets of Kabul, a promising sign; a political demonstration. A small group of mainly middle class professionals and intellectuals marched to the United Nations compound. They were chanting support for the peace process, support for the new government. Not highly contentious, but a political demonstration nonetheless. Something which has not been seen in Afghanistan for many years. Also marching in that demonstration, a number of women -- something which would never have happened under the previous Taliban regime.

After that demonstration, several members met with U.N. representatives and asked them not to abandon Afghanistan again, to stay with them. They also thanked the international community for finally taking an interest in the plight of this country.

John Vause, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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