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CNN Live At Daybreak

Camp X-Ray Hunger Strike Seems To Be Winding Down

Aired March 07, 2002 - 05:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A so-called rolling hunger strike by Afghan war prisoners in Cuba appears to be winding down now. Taliban and al Qaeda detainees began their protest last week at Camp X-ray.

Our Bob Franken has details from Guantanamo Bay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The interrogations have continued uninterrupted, and the hunger strike, according to security officials, seems to be sputtering to an end. By their count, none of the detainees has gone without food, since the protest began Wednesday the 27th. And since Friday?

GEN. MICHAEL LEHNERT, SECURITY COMMANDER: Right now, there remain three hard liners, who have not eaten since March 1. That number is three. This morning, 51 detainees chose not to eat. Now, the difference between that number is that we have what I refer to as a rolling hunger strike.

FRANKEN: Officials say that one reason the numbers have dwindled is the agreement to grant a few concessions, not only eliminating the ban on turbans, which sparked the protest, but also to serve hot tea with meals and to acquire prayer beads for each prison. Small adjustments, according to security leaders, not signs of weakness.

LT. COL. BILL CLINE, CAMP X-RAY DEPUTY CMDR.: I think making these small, little concessions are something that if they act up again, we can take back from them.

FRANKEN: The commander, who has made such a point of claiming humane treatment for these detainees, was asked to reflect on the reports that Navy SEAL Neil Roberts possibly was executed this week by the enemy forces who captured him in Afghanistan.

LEHNERT: There is a significant difference between the way we would treat the prisoners or the detainees that we take in this conflict, and the way that they would treat our fighting men and women, when they capture them in a conflict. We know that. And I would say that is the single thing that separates -- or one of the most singular things that separates us from them.

FRANKEN: Security forces expect the new fighting in Afghanistan to mean new detainees will be joining the ones already here. (on camera): Already, construction has begun on a more permanent 408 cell prison a few miles down the road to replace Camp X-ray. And now, the general has asked for another 408 cells. There is a potential for 2,000.

Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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