Five years after the fall of the Taliban, the skies over Kabul are once again being filled with colo

(12 Nov 2006) HEADLINE: Kabul Kites Back In Flight
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CAPTION: Five years after the fall of the Taliban, the skies over Kabul are once again being filled with colorful kites. (Nov. 12)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]

[Notes:kites flying]

Skies once filled with bombs and bullets are now a place for colorful kites.

Once banned under the rule of the Taliban - the kite industry is making a comeback on the streets - and in the skies of war-torn Kabul.

Kite flying is considered to be a national pastime in Afghanistan - and now, five years after the fall of the Taliban regime - flying a kite is being seen as a symbol of change.


[Notes:boy examines kite supplies]

This young man has been saving his pennies for weeks to buy a new kite.

Many shops sell the reels, line and other cheap paraphernalia needed for making a simple kite - but when you are a serious kite enthusiast - you go to a pro.


[Notes:shot of kite maker]

Kabul's top kite maker had to go underground to make his kites in the Taliban days - but now his work can be sold openly.

He considers making kites to be his passion and not really a job - even though he makes as many as 30 in a day.

He says under the Taliban, if a child was caught flying a kite - his father would be thrown in jail.

The regime believed activities such as kite flying distracted youngsters from studying the Quran -- but now the kites are flying high once again.

Tim McGuire, the Associated Press.

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