Military

DATE=1/9/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-285023

TITLE= AFGHANISTAN / U-S (L Only) CQ

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: REISSUED WITH EDITED VERBATIM IN WOLF ACT TO COMPLY WITH AUDIO.///

INTRO: A three-member U-S congressional delegation says the people of Afghanistan are living in a state of fear and improving security in the war-ravaged

country is the new government's top priority. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul

reports.

TEXT: The U-S congressmen spoke in Islamabad following a two-day trip to Afghanistan where they examined the security, political and humanitarian situation in the country. They met ministers of the new interim government, including its leader, Hamid Karzai.

Republican congressman (Virginia) Frank Wolf told reporters the Afghan government is making efforts to improve security.

///WOLF ACT///

The security has to be dealt with in a very important way because the

people even in Kabul, where there are troops, don't feel secure. People are

still afraid. Crime is increasing in Kabul.

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Another member of the delegation, Kentucky Republican Joe Pitts, says he was

moved by the sense of relief felt the Afghan people now that they are free from Taleban rule. But he much work remains.

///PITTS ACT///

But there is still a severe intimidation factor in the society. We talked

to the women privately. Outside they wear their burkas (veil) but in the

private meetings, they express that many of them would like to remove them.

But they are terrorized by the Talibanization of their society. If they

take them off, they receive rude comments and threats of throwing acid in

their faces and so there are still in a sense terrorized.

///END ACT///

Congressman Pitts admits that ignoring Afghanistan after the withdrawal of

Soviet troops was a mistake on part of the United States. But this time, he

says the United States will not walk away.

///PITTS ACT///

Perhaps we have made some mistakes in the past. We are looking to the

future here and I think there is a renewed awareness of the critical

importance of Central Asia and South Asia and we intend to be advocates in

the future.

///END ACT///

A third member of the team, Ohio Democrat Tony Hall said Congress and the U-S government will honor commitments to re-build Afghanistan and not abandon the country.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's new government has ordered all armed men except

official security forces to leave Kabul. The move is meant to prevent a return to the anarchy that once shattered the city.

New Afghan Interior Minister Yunis Qanuni is quoted as saying that all

authorized armed men have to leave Kabul and return to their bases under a

U-N-backed plan to disarm the city. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/KBK/RH