from Kabul: Allif Ali Khan, the Pakistani lawyer for the 8, was just interviewed.He said he had met with the "detainees" for 3 hours today (has been meeting with them daily for 3-4 hrs, he said).
gist: they are doing well "as a whole"; One of htem -- Heather Mercer -- was not well yesterday. Lawyer requested of chief justice that she be able to see a doctor. Q: "what was the problem?" A: "seems like...mental disturbance from stress of being kept for 2 months; esp since Sept 11, since is now fearing a U.S. air attack."
Q: "Do you and your clients believe they are being used as political pawns?"
A: "No, I don't believe that...I have full confidence in the judicial system over here. The chief justice has been very forthcoming and very cooperative in all matters...He has clearly stated that we will have every opportunity to defend them...I don't think this links up (ie, that threat of US attack will affect decisions of the court, or how case might be handled)."Q: "...(we have) word of unrest there. What is going on there now, is there panic in the streets?"
A: "No, Kabul (seems to be fine); there is no panic at all."Q: "Do you have any prediction of outcome -- are you optimistic?"
A: "Yes, I'm very optimistic. I would like them to be banished...I hope there will be no higher sentence. The justices have shown us that they are very fair; real compassionate."