If we come on too strong, we're bullies. If we don't do anything, we're wimps. No matter what we do, someone somewhere is going to critize us. There is a sentiment, not necessarily one that I agree with but one I understand, that goes "It's better to be feared than loved."

The interim leader of Afghanistan gave an interview to ABC News today. He had some pretty harsh things to say about those detainees. What was more interesting was watching his facial expression as Jennings asked these questions. To me, his eyes seemed to be saying, "You've got to be kidding? Why all of the concern over these people?"

Status of Prisoners

JENNINGS Do you think that the prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba should be classified as prisoners of war?

KARZAI They're terrorists. They have not been captured in a regular war. They were there to kill Afghan people. They did kill Afghan people, positively. They destroyed my country.

We're not at war with them … I would not classify them as prisoners of war, but I would treat them nicely, properly.

JENNINGS Would you treat them under the, under the rules and regulations of the Geneva Convention?

KARZAI I would treat them, I would treat them … within the framework of that Convention, but I would treat them nicely. They're not prisoners of war. They're terrorists.

JENNINGS Are you aware of the prisoners being held at Sheburgen who were fighting with the Taliban and are now in custody largely of the Northern Alliance? And do you think you have the authority and the strength to do something about that from the government's point of view in Kabul?

KARZAI Yes, surely. Definitely.

JENNINGS And what do you think should be done?

KARZAI Well, we will provide them [with] … better living conditions and give them the rights that they should have of prisoners in that prison … Whether they will believe it or not is depending upon the situation of terrorists or collaborators …