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CNN Live At Daybreak

Raids in Pakistan May Have Uncovered Terrorist Plot

Aired April 04, 2002 - 05:36   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: And we want to turn our attention now to the U.S. war on terrorism.

Authorities are trying to get as much information as possible from one of Osama bin Laden's top henchmen who is now in U.S. custody.

Our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena has the latest for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The captured al Qaeda leader, Abu Zubaydah, is talking. And according to a highly placed U.S. government source, he is providing some limited information to interrogators.

DONALD RUMSFELD, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: Here's a man who knows about additional terrorist acts. Here's a man who trained people to do this.

ARENA: What's more, some officials believe the U.S. may have interrupted a planned terrorist attack, although a specific target has not yet been identified. That learned by investigators, as they go through materials found during last week's raids in Pakistan, during which Zubaydah and other were arrested.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld denied reports the U.S. is considering handing over Zubaydah to another country, where investigators could possibly use harsher techniques in their interrogations.

RUMSFELD: We are responsible for his detention and we intend to remain responsible for his detention. And that means exactly what it means, that we, the United States of America, are responsible for him.

ARENA: Zubaydah is wanted by not only the United States but by Jordan, which indicted him for his alleged role in a thwarted millennium bombing plot. Officials still will not say where Zubaydah is being held. Government sources say one place he won't be taken, at least for now, is Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he might be able to communicate with other detainees.

Officials say while the president has not made a final decision, it is expected Zubaydah will be tried by a U.S. military tribunal. Zubaydah is a top al Qaeda leader said to be in charge of operations and responsible for recruiting new members.

DANIEL BENJAMIN, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OFFICIAL: He's someone who could pull the strings, who could coordinate highly complicated operations in different countries and guide them towards the execution of a terrorist plot.

ARENA: In a briefing with reporters, FBI Director Robert Mueller acknowledged Zubaydah's arrest, quote "...assists in helping prevent another terrorist attack." But he didn't offer any details.

(on camera): The FBI director added, "The threat of terrorism remains high," stressing that al Qaeda members who have not been caught still have the capability and the desire to carry out attacks.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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