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CNN Live Today

Overheard Cell Phone Conversation Prompts Federal Investigation

Aired June 21, 2002 - 13:02   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: We begin with the overheard cell phone conversation that has prompted a federal investigation. As we mentioned, the man has told the FBI he accidentally intercepted a conversation in Arabic that indicated a terror attack is imminent, and the target, Las Vegas.

Michael Hamdan, an Arabic speaker himself, spoke this morning's with CNN's Carol Costello.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL HAMDAN, INTERCEPTED CELL PHONE CALL: One party talking under it seems there's many people in this side talking to one and another individual, telling him exactly in Arabic, which I will say it in English, of course. "We are here in the city of corruption, the city of prostitution and gambling, the city of the unbelievers." And they are talking about freedom. We are going to hit them in the day of freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD:: And this is interesting too. Hamdan says the conversation did not seem to be among equals, but between superiors and subordinates.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMDAN: The tone of voice and the words has been really carefully chosen, and the other individual he was only answering by OK, OK, as if his he's getting instruction or getting statement. And he was saying in Arabic, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), which is really more affirmative than OK. It mean like, I understand.

It was very -- it's unbelievable. I mean, I felt shocked. I felt stunned. Federal officials say they're taking Hamdan's account very seriously, but they haven't had time to corroborate it just yet.

And CNN's Kelli Arena has been following this story, and she's got the from Washington.

Hi again, Kelly.

KELLY ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Well, later this afternoon, Hamdan will be polygraphed and extensively interviewed. And intelligence gathering continues to see if there is any other evidence to corroborate what Hamdan says that he heard.

The FBI says it's not discounting anything and will investigate this thoroughly, but there are little bit specifics to go on. There was no target mentioned, nor a mode of attack. It's also unclear whether these individuals were discussing a plan under way, or something that was merely in the discussion stage -- Fredricka.

WHITIFIELD: All right. And, Kelli, is they're an explanation at to why the polygraph hasn't been taken already. You said it's going to be taken.

ARENA: Hamdan told me that he heard the phone call on Saturday, about 2:00 in the afternoon. He called the FBI on Sunday at 2:00 in the morning, saying that he couldn't sleep. He says he didn't get a call back, so he called again on Sunday afternoon. When he didn't hear anything, he went to local media and asked them to help him out. Now the FBI, he says, then called him on Tuesday. He net with a special agent on Wednesday. He's had several conversations on the phone since then. And as I said, he is supposed to meet later today for a polygraph and another more extensive interview, at least accounting to him. He heading there, he says, about 12:00 West Coast time.

WHITFIELD: All right, so a few more steps to take. Thank you very much, Kelli Arena from Washington.

ARENA: You're welcome.

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