Military

DATE=12/5/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-283905

TITLE=AFGHAN/KARZAI (L) CQ

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

///// DROPS LAST PHRASE FROM TEXT GRAF SIX OF CR2-283900. /////

INTRO: Afghanistan's rival factions have chosen Hamid Karzai, a moderate Muslim, to head the interim administration to replace Taleban rule in the war-shattered country. Ayaz Gul in neighboring Pakistan spoke to Mr. Karzai to get his reaction.

TEXT: Mr. Karzai says he is honored to know that his fellow countrymen have put trust in him and that they think he can do this job.

/// KARZAI ACT ///

That is a great honor for me and I am basically very grateful and with the help of all-mighty God we will do all that human beings can possibly do to bring peace, security, and economic well being for Afghanistan.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Karzai is currently based in southern Afghanistan, where his forces are trying to oust the Taleban from its last stronghold in Kandahar.

The 44-year-old Pashtun leader served as deputy foreign minister in the previous Afghan government led by Burhanuddin Rabbani. The Rabbani government that took control of Kabul in 1992 was largely run by minority Tajiks.

Afghan factions in that government fought bitterly among themselves, destroying large parts of the Afghan capital and killing 50-thousand civilians.

Hamid Karzai left the government in the early years because of the infighting. He was among Afghan leaders who tried to persuade Mr. Rabbani to allow more Pashtun representatives in the government.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the U-S-led coalition forces, Kenton Keith, told reporters in Islamabad they welcome the U-N-mediated agreement reached by Afghan factions meeting in Germany.

/// KEITH ACT ///

Today is a good day for Afghanistan. Afghanistan is moving on and the Taleban and al-Qaida that they are supporting, are being left behind. The settlement just announced offers the country a new future one where the full ethnic tapestry of the country has a role to play.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Keith again urged the remaining Taleban forces and members of Al-Qaida terrorist group, including its leader Osama bin Laden, to give up the fight. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/RAE/kbK/rae