Comment from Afghan opposition, Muslims at prayer.
(14 Sep 2001) 1. Wide shot, Afghanistan embassy press secretary 2. Wide shot, press 3. Mid shot, press 4. SOUNDBITE, in Russian, Ghulam Ghairat, First Secretary of Embassy of Afghanistan in Russia, Advisor to Afghanistan Ambassador to Russia "The condition of our national hero, General Ahmed Shah Massood has worsened today. He is now in a coma. Now the entire world has been convinced of the justification of our battle, struggle." 5. Cut away, press 6. SOUNDBITE, in Russian, Ghulam Ghairat, First Secretary of Embassy of Afghanistan in Russia, Advisor to Afghanistan Ambassador to Russia "They (Taliban) have committed terrorist acts against the United States. This is a continuation of the terror that has been going on for the past seven years in Afghanistan. The tragedy in the United States is also our tragedy, we we feel the pain of the American people, we are united with them. And we are not only united with them, we are also fighting against terrorism." 7. Wide shot, mosque, prayer service 8. Wide shot, mufti 9. Wide shot, prayers, people bent in prayer 10. Mid shot, same 11. Cut away, hands in prayer 12. SOUNDBITE, in Russian, Mufti for the European Part of Russia, Ravil Gainutdin: "As for reliatory strikes against those countries that supposedly support terrorists, I can firmly say that there is no such thing as a "terrorist country." The people of these countries cannot be terrorists and punishing these people instead of terrorists should not happen." 13. Mid shot, praying STORYLINE: Muslims and Afghan diplomats in Russia have expressed concern that retaliation for Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States might only cost more innocent lives. US officials have reaffirmed that the United States will take aim not only at the terrorists responsible for Tuesday's attacks but at those who back them. U.S. officials have identified suspected Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden as suspect No. 1 in Tuesday's terrorist strikes against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have given bin Laden sanctuary. Ghalam Gairat, advisor to Afghanistan Ambassador to Russia, announced on Friday that the head of Afganistan's opposition to the Taliban, General Ahmed Shah Massood had slipped into a coma. Massood was the victim of what is believed to be an attack by Taliban terrorists. Gairat said that the terrorist acts in the United States are a continuation of the terror of the past seven years in Afghanistan. The former soviet republic of Tajikistan shares a common border with Afghanistan. Tajikistan is still struggling to recover from a five-year civil war between mostly Islamic opposition forces and the hard-line secular government, and its government is heavily dependent on Russia for military and political support. Russia has about 25,000 troops stationed in Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan and is one if the few countries from which an offensive could be launched. Tadjik government officials have indicated their willingness to consider a U.S. request to provide air corridors for strikes on neighbouring Afghanistan, though they have said it would have to consult with Russia and other partners. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
