While some Kabul residents greeted the captain and his men with open arms, other barely spoke to them.

Many Kabul residents get their water from up to 100,000 shallow private wells that are often polluted and vulnerable to drought.

He said pamphlets warning Kabul residents to stay off the streets "created an air in which people were being terrified of a rocket attack."

Kabul residents clamoring for weapons tried to storm a gate guarded by Jamiat soldiers.

Many Kabul residents have unhappy memories of the period from 1992 to 1996, when Northern Alliance soldiers essentially acted at will in the city.

Kabul residents, he said, are looking for decisive military action.

Most Kabul residents questioned joined the criticism.

Nusrat, a 21-year-old Kabul resident, said, "All of the people are happy because they are free.

One Kabul resident said there was a special drug rehabilitation clinic in the capital for Russians, but this could not be verified.

Some Kabul residents said they felt caught in a political spider's web between the Government and the rebels.