DATE=04/16/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/KING (S)

NUMBER=2-288783

BYLINE=SABINA CASTELFRANCO

DATELINE=ROME

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Afghanistan's interim government leader Hamid Karzai arrived in Rome today to

accompany former king Mohammed Zahir Shah home from exile. As Sabina Castelfranco reports

the former king is expected to be back in Kabul on Thursday.

TEXT: Afghan leader Hamid Karzai arrived in Rome accompanied by several of his government's

ministers. He will be escorting home former Afghan king Mohammed Zaher Shah, who has

been living in exile in Rome since 1973.

Upon his arrival in the Italian capital, Karzai said he was "tremendously glad" to take the

former monarch home. "The new Afghanistan welcomes all its sons," he said, including the

former king, a fatherly figure and symbol of unity."

Karzai will see the 87-year-old former monarch, and together they will meet with Italian

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. They are expected to head back to Kabul late

Wednesday.

Mr. Zaher Shah had been expected to return to Afghanistan last month. But his return was

postponed due to security threats.

The former king is eager to return to his homeland. His spokesman Hamid Sidiq said he is

coming back to reunite Afghanistan, adding that "he wants peace and prosperity for all

Afghans."

Back in his country, Mr. Zaher Shah is expected to convene a Loya Jirga, or Grand Council of

elders, in June that will select a new transitional government for Afghanistan. The former

king has said he will never leave his country again. (Signed)

NEB/SC/SAB