UPDATED TRANSCRIPT:
The Inside Story: Evacuating Afghanistan (Episode 02 – August 27, 2021)
Voice of PATSY WIDAKUSWARA, VOA Senior White House Correspondent:
With a withdrawal deadline fast approaching, the U.S. steps up efforts to evacuate Americans and allies from Afghanistan.
We’re working hard and as fast as we can to get people out. That’s our mission. That’s our goal.
A look at the herculean mission to evacuate Afghanistan …
By air…
An exodus on land …
How it impacts the Afghans left behind …
And countries in the region.
The Inside Story: Evacuating Afghanistan, is next.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Hi. I Patsy Widakuswara, VOA’s Senior White House Correspondent. I’m at the White House where President Joe Biden is briefed daily on the Afghan evacuation. Images of chaotic scenes from the Kabul airport have dominated coverage since the fall of government - frantic Afghans trying to flee the country, fearful of life under the Taliban. The Biden administration says they have taken control of the chaos, but the urgency and danger remain. How the president handles America's final days in Afghanistan will be key to whether he can withstand his first major foreign policy crisis.
CARLA BABB, VOA Pentagon Correspondent:
Chaos in Kabul. First, a suicide bomber strikes at the airport’s Abbey gate. Minutes later, a second suicide bombing at the Baron Hotel, about 200 meters away. Dozens of Afghans and at least 13 U.S. service members were killed. Islamic State, an enemy to both the U.S. and the Taliban, claimed responsibility. U.S. President Joe Biden vows revenge.
U.S. President Joe Biden:
For those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, US Central Command Chief:
It’s been a hard day.
CARLA BABB:
The top general overseeing the U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan telling reporters at the Pentagon that evacuations of American and at-risk Afghans will continue.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, US Central Command Chief:
ISIS will not deter us from accomplishing the mission. I can assure you of that.
CARLA BABB:
While the military braces for more potential attacks from the terror group.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, US Central Command Chief:
We believe it is their desire to continue those attacks, and we expect those attacks to continue.
CARLA BABB
U.S. forces have the airport secure, with officials confirming coordination with the Taliban militants who man areas outside the perimeter.
But the mission is extremely dangerous, and military officials tell VOA that while no one wants to leave people behind, the quicker U.S. forces can finish the evacuation, the better. Carla Babb, VOA News, The Pentagon
Voice of ESHA SARAI, VOA:
Landmark talks known as the intra Afghan peace process, are taking place between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Talks began September 2020. Both sides want a path to power sharing and a stop to what's described as Afghanistan's endless war.
The Taliban brutally ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 under strict Sharia, or Islamic law. The end came when the United States invaded in its search for Osama bin Laden, after the deadly 911 terrorist attacks on US soil.
Afghanistan formed a government led by Hamid Karzai, who promoted democracy and an open society. But the Taliban retains strongholds.
The Afghan government, with support from the US and NATO, has fought a protracted war.
The conflict has claimed some 157,000 lives, more than 43,000 of them civilians. The Taliban and Kabul set benchmarks for the peace talks.
Kabul wants a ceasefire, a power sharing agreement and rights in the Constitution to be upheld.
The Taliban want all foreign troops to leave, the release of around 5000 prisoners, and rights to be aligned with Islamic teachings.
The US, NATO, and others want a permanent ceasefire, the ability to deal with terrorism and a firm plan to ensure a peaceful future in Afghanistan.
Afghans are wary of a peace deal. Since talks began, a series of attacks of targeted journalists, members of civil society, and women. Media freedom and women's rights are protected in Afghanistan's 2004 constitution.
Since the fall of the Taliban, the country developed a thriving media scene with female journalists at the fore. The Taliban have denied involvement in the attacks, while insisting on Islamic law. The Afghan Government has not laid out specific conditions to protect to media freedom or women. That leaves many to question if freedoms gained over two decades of war will survive.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
President Biden’s resolve to stick to his deadline of August 31 to end the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan has many concerned that it is not enough time go get everyone out who wants and needs to leave. More now from the President on his reasoning.
U.S. President Joe Biden[DF1] :
Been a tough day. This evening in Kabul, as you all know, terrorists attacked -- that we’ve been talking about and worried about, that the intelligence community has assessed has [was] undertaken -- an attack -- by a group known as ISIS-K -- took the lives of American service members standing guard at the airport and wounded several others seriously. They also wounded a number of civilians, and civilians were killed as well.
These American service members who gave their lives -- it’s an overused word, but it’s totally appropriate -- they were heroes. Heroes who have been engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others.
They were part of the bravest, most capable, and the most selfless military on the face of the Earth. And they were part of, simply, what I call the “backbone of America.” They’re the spine of America, the best the country has to offer.
Jill and I -- our hearts ache, like I’m sure all of you do as well, for all those Afghan families who have lost loved ones, including small children, or been wounded in this vicious attack. And we’re outraged as well as heartbroken.
We have some sense, like many of you do, what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today. You get this feeling like you’re being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest; there’s no way out. My heart aches for you.
But I know this: We have a continuing obligation, a sacred obligation to all of you -- the families of those heroes. That obligation is not temporary; it lasts forever.
The lives we lost today were lives given in the service of liberty, the service of security, in the service of others, in the service of America.
Like their fellow brothers and sisters in arms who died defending our vision and our values in the struggle against terrorism of -- the fallen this day, they’re part of a great and noble company of American heroes.
To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.
Over the past few weeks -- I know you're -- many of you are probably tired of hearing me say it -- we’ve been made aware by our intelligence community that the ISIS-K -- an arch-enemy of the Taliban; people who were freed when both those prisons were opened -- has been planning a complex set of attacks on the United States personnel and others.
This is why, from the outset, I've repeatedly said this mission was extraordinarily dangerous and why I have been so determined to limit the duration of this mission.
And as General McKenzie said, this is why our mission was designed -- this is the way it was designed to operate: operate under severe stress and attack. We've known that from the beginning.
And as I’ve been in constant contact with our senior military leaders -- and I mean constant, around the clock -- and our commanders on the ground and throughout the day, they made it clear that we can and we must complete this mission, and we will. And that's what I've ordered them to do.
We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation.
I've also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership, and facilities. We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose, and the moment of our choosing.
Here is what you need to know: These ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans who are there. We will get out our Afghan allies out, and our mission will go on.
America will not be intimidated.
I have the utmost confidence in our brave service members who continue to execute this mission with courage and honor to save lives and get Americans, our partners, our Afghan allies out of Afghanistan.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
As the numbers show, Afghanistan is almost three times the size of the UK, with close to 40 million people. And a very large number of refugees. Even before the Taliban takeover, two and a half million Afghans have fled the country, accounting for 10 percent of the world's refugees. Most of the Afghans now fleeing the Taliban make their journey by foot, including a group who have just arrived in eastern Turkey. They spoke to VOA’s Arif Aslan, who has this story narrated by Sirwan Kaijo:
Afghan refugees who have recently settled in Turkey say they fled their country for fear that a Taliban takeover would endanger their lives. Shakiba is among those who made it to the eastern Turkish city of Van over the weekend as the Taliban seized Kabul.
Shakiba, Afghan Refugee:
They scare us a lot. We couldn’t have sat like this. We would have to be fully covered. They take young girls to Pakistan, and I was afraid of that, so I came here. Why would I leave my home and suffer the difficult journey filled with hunger and thirst just to come here?
SIRWAN KAIJO:
For most of these refugees the journey is many days long, crossing from Afghanistan into Iran before arriving in Turkey. They say much of the journey is on foot under extreme weather conditions. But with the violence unfolding in Afghanistan, the refugees say life back home was becoming unbearable.
Hasibullah, Afghan Refugee:
One can’t live in Afghanistan anymore. How much can you tolerate there? That’s why all of us young people have left our country. You can't even make money to eat in Afghanistan. There is fighting during the day and night.
SIRWAN KAIJO:
To curb the influx of refugees, Turkey has begun building a concrete wall along its 295-kilometer-long border with Iran and increased its military presence in the area. Turkish officials said 156 kilometers of the wall have already been built. But for many Afghans, reaching safety in Turkey doesn’t mean an end to their hardships.
Hasibullah, Afghan Refugee:
Even coming here, we walk around afraid of being deported because we cannot just go and work somewhere legally. We will do any work available, whether it's sweeping or waiting tables or even working in farms because if we don't work then there is no life for us. We have to work here.
SIRWAN KAIJO:
Turkish authorities say there are 120,000 Afghan refugees in Turkey and up to 300,000 undocumented Afghan migrants. For Arif Aslan in Van, Turkey, this is Sirwan Kajjo, VOA News
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Among the most desperate to get out of Afghanistan are tens of thousands of Afghans who worked for the United States in a variety of positions --- from menial to highly specialized. Getting them out before the Taliban took over involved a lengthy process. There is much more urgency now. VOA’s Carolyn Presutti profiles two former interpreters who fear for their lives.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI, VOA Correspondent:
Haji could be here. Or he could be here. Or here. He moves from city to city for safety from the Taliban. For 11 years he worked as an interpreter for US Special Forces, braving firefights across Afghanistan -- as he told VOA via Skype.
“Haji”, Former US Special Forces Interpreter:
Lugar Province and Kabul, Lot of these places, Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar Province.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Haji, the name we use to protect his identity, has awards for his shrapnel wounds and for saving the lives of two army captains.
“Haji” Former US Special Forces Interpreter:
They saved me, I saved them because we are teammates.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
In 2010, the Taliban kidnapped Haji’s 9-year-old son because of his job and asked for ransom.
“Haji” Former US Special Forces Interpreter:
They know I am working with American forces and [they said,] ‘they are infidel and you are infidel because you are working with them and you are providing all kinds of help to them.’
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
The Afghan police rescued his son a few weeks later in a gun battle with his kidnappers. He says they killed an older son a few months ago. Now Haji is trying to save his own life after cellphone threats from the Taliban.
“Haji” Former US Special Forces Interpreter:
They tell me they know my place; they know where I am staying, they are coming after me.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Haji applied for a Special Immigrant Visa—an SIV--- more than three years ago. The embassy told him processing is delayed. President Biden said this about interpreters like Haji.
U.S. President Joe Biden:
There is a home for you in the United States if you so choose. We will stand with you, just as you stood with us.
Ismail Khan, Former US Interpreter:
The process is so complicated.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Ismail Khan came to the United States on an SIV seven years ago. He was an interpreter alongside Haji whom he nicknamed “GPS” when he spoke with VOA on Skype.
Ismail Khan, Former US Interpreter:
He knew where to go, what route to take, what would be the easiest, where are possible places for them to ambush us - to make sure that they [we] are alert. He tried everything to make sure that his team would survive and be successful.
But Khan worries for his colleague.
Ismail Khan, Former US Interpreter:
They are after him, he is going to get killed if he doesn’t get out.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Those who helped the Americans often protest in Afghanistan for safe passage out. Since January the Biden administration has approved 25-hundred special visas for Afghans who assisted the military and one thousand like Khan have settled in the U.S. But there are many still there, including an interpreter we will call James. James has been denied the special visa because he cannot provide paperwork proof of his employment.
“James” Former US Interpreter:
It’s really scary because brutal Taliban, they never forgive us.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
James told VOA that fears for his safety – and that of his family --- keep him awake at night. And, like Haji, he worries what will happen, after the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops on August 31. Carolyn Presutti, VOA News.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
While the U.S. and NATO allies hope to have some lasting influence in Afghanistan, their withdrawal leaves a vacuum that its neighbors are willing to fill. Among them, China, which shares an 80-kilometer border with Afghanistan. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee explains the risks and benefits for both countries.
ELIZABETH LEE, VOA Correspondent:
Long before the balance of power in Afghanistan changed swiftly, China had been paving the road for a relationship with the Taliban. On July 28, China’s foreign minister met with high-level Taliban officials in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
Raffaello Pantucci, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies:
But actually in the week before that, President Xi had actually called and spoken to President (Ashraf) Ghani and impressed his continued support for the Afghan government. So China essentially has been hedging.
Some Central Asia analysts believe China was a factor in the speed of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Seth Jones, Center for Strategic and International Studies:
The Afghan security forces recognized that the Taliban had the support of China, had the support of Russia, Pakistan and Iran, most of the major countries in the region, probably with the exception of India. So, morale was devastated.
ELIZABETH LEE:
Some analysts say China’s interests in Afghanistan include its mineral deposits and location relative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to expand China’s political and economic influence to Europe through investment and infrastructure projects. While the vacuum left by the U.S. in Afghanistan could be an opportunity for China, analysts expect Beijing to be cautious.
Andrew Small, The German Marshall Fund of the United States:
China still sees Afghanistan through this sort of obsessive graveyard of empires prism. They don't want to get sucked in. They think it's a risk. They think it's a trap.
ELIZABETH LEE:
China’s biggest concern is security.
Andrew Small, The German Marshall Fund of the United States:
First of all, ensuring that there isn't a spillover of some of the security threats in Afghanistan to the wider neighborhood where China has much more substantial economic, political and strategic interests and certainly the case for Central Asia, and particularly, I think, in the case of Pakistan.
ELIZABETH LEE:
With Chinese investments and transportation routes through Pakistan, the two countries share a need for stability.
Mushahid Hussain Syed, Pakistan Senator:
First, that Afghan soil should not be used against China, It shares a 50-miles-long border with Afghanistan.
ELIZABETH LEE:
Politically, China has used the situation in Afghanistan to criticize the U.S.
Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry:
We've seen the U.S. military leave an awful mess of unrest, division, families ruined and orphaned.
ELIZABETH LEE:
While Afghanistan may be a public relations win for China, analysts say the reality is different.
Raffaello Pantucci, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies:
I think concerns about Afghanistan becoming a place where Uyghur militants or dissidents can sort of plot and foment trouble within China is one of China’s preeminent concerns.
ELIZABETH LEE:
While China sees the Uyghur Muslims as a threat and a part of its war of terror, Human rights groups have raised alarms over China’s persecution and treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Analysts say it would be costly for the Taliban to take up the Uyghur cause. The Taliban may not sympathize with the Uyghurs for another reason: religion.
Hasan Karrar, Lahore University of Management Sciences:
In both places, the role of Islam, how Islam is understood, is very, very different.
ELIZABETH LEE:
Analysts agree China will take on a watch-and-wait stance as the situation in
Afghanistan unfolds. Elizabeth Lee VOA News, Washington.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
800-thousand U.S. troops served in Afghanistan during the nearly 20 years of U.S. military involvement. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh was a reporter for the U.S. military in the early years of the war and documented the stories of many service members. He reached out to them again out to find out how they view the way America’s longest war is ending … and their service in it.
KANE FARABAUGH, VOA Correspondent:
As he watches circumstances in Afghanistan unfold on the TV at his home in Missouri, veteran Steve Hutcherson is in shock.
Steve Hutcherson, U.S. Air National Guard Veteran
It’s difficult to watch. You’ve seen the videos of the fall of Saigon and everything, and it’s kind of eerily similar. We’ve spent so much in human lives and national treasure to maintain what we have, and you see it all gone in a flash.
KANE FARABAUGH:
Afghanistan’s return to Taliban control is a personal setback for Hutcherson. He was among the first wave of uniformed U.S. military forces sent to the country in early 2002, working as an air traffic controller at Bagram Airfield, coordinating allied aircraft in combat and support missions aimed at eliminating terrorists. He believes the U.S. met its objective.
Steve Hutcherson, U.S. Air National Guard Veteran:
The result was that we’ve been safe for the last 20 years.
KANE FARABAUGH:
But he also thinks the U.S. effort to build a democratic Afghan nation was an “unwinnable war.”
Steve Hutcherson, U.S. Air National Guard Veteran:
You are trying to fight an idea. You don’t fight an idea, you know, with weapons and stuff.
Rhonda Lawson, U.S. Army Veteran:
I guess the shocking part to me is how quickly everything happened.
KANE FARABAUGH:
Rhonda Lawson watched the rapid fall of the Afghan government from her home in Maryland. Nearly 20 years ago, her home had been Bagram Airfield, serving as a noncommissioned officer for a U.S. Army mobile public affairs detachment. In Afghanistan, she witnessed U.S. efforts to train a new Afghan National Army.
Rhonda Lawson, U.S. Army Veteran:
It does kind of change my view as to whether the Afghan National Army was prepared to defend their own country, and I don’t know if it was a case of them not fighting or them failing, but for the Taliban to have taken over as quickly as they did, as I said, it was quite shocking.
Steve Hutcherson, U.S. Air National Guard Veteran:
We’ve spent an incredible amount of money to train their army to fight for themselves, and it doesn’t seem like they want to. For whatever reason I don’t know. If they don’t want to fight for themselves, we can’t stay there forever.
Dan Millbauer, U.S. Army Veteran:
After 20 years, I don’t think we need to have U.S. military forces on the ground there.
KANE FARABAUGH:
Dan Millbauer served in different U.S. Army units during two deployments to Afghanistan, which allowed him to travel extensively in the country while there.
Dan Millbauer, U.S. Army Veteran:
A place like Afghanistan has historically been problematic. The Soviets tried. We tried for 20 years now to make things the way they should be, // but if the Taliban rises to power again, there is a reason for that, and we’ll respond as we feel appropriate in the future.
KANE FARABAUGH:
With the Taliban now seemingly in control of Afghanistan’s uncertain future, the exodus of those seeking safety elsewhere, and still have the means to flee, continues. Kane Farabaugh, VOA News, Chicago.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Keep up on the evacuation efforts and latest developments in Afghanistan at VOANews.Com. Stay connected @VOANews on Instagram and Facebook. Follow me on Twitter at P-Widakuswara. That’s P-W-I-D-A-K-U-S-W-A-R-A. I am Patsy Widakuswara. See you next week for The Inside Story.
