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CNN Live At Daybreak

Al Qaeda Recruitment Chief in Custody

Aired April 02, 2002 - 05:30   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: One of Osama bin Laden's top henchmen may now be in U.S. custody and he might even know where bin Laden is hiding. Abu Zubaydah is the man thought to be in charge of recruitment and overseas terrorist operations.

Our National Correspondent Mike Boettcher profiles the suspected al Qaeda leader.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Abu Zubaydah, a reputed master of evasion and disguise, would be the highest ranking al Qaeda leader in custody. And according to terrorism experts, knows more about the workings of Osama bin Laden's terror network than bin Laden himself. That is because Zubaydah, whose real name is believed to be Zayn al-Abidn Muhammed Hasayn, had been in charge of al Qaeda's recruitment efforts and terrorist training camps. Coalition intelligence agencies believe he knows the names and locations of al Qaeda operatives worldwide.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was reluctant to speak about Zubaydah.

DONALD RUMSFELD, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: I don't think there is any doubt that a man named Abu Zubaydah is a close associate of U.B.L.'s, and if not the number two -- very close to the number two person in the organization. I think that's well established. I have absolutely nothing to say about the subject, however.

BOETTCHER: Ahmed Ressam, the al Qaeda operative convicted last year of plotting to explode a bomb at Los Angeles Airport during millennium celebrations, testified that Abu Zubaydah admitted him to an Afghanistan training camp. "He is the person in charge of the training camps," Ressam said. "He receives young men from all countries. He accepts you or rejects you, and he takes care of the expenses of the camps."

During the U.S. offensive against the Taliban and al Qaeda, the 30-year-old Zubaydah, a Palestinian, believed born in Saudi Arabia, took over operational control of al Qaeda cells. Coalition intelligence sources tell CNN he stepped into the roll after this man, Mohammed Atef, who ran al Qaeda's terrorist operations, was killed in a U.S. air strike. (on camera): Zubaydah's arrest would be a serious blow to al Qaeda's efforts to reorganize. However, still at large are the two most wanted men: Osama bin Laden and his closest adviser, Iman al- Zuwari (ph).

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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