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CNN Live Today

Interview with Abdel Bari Atwan

Aired July 15, 2002 - 13:14   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported, Osama bin Laden is said to be alive in a report published today in a London-based Arabic newspaper. The report talks about bin Laden's followers are determined to mount another attack against the United States.

Joining us now from London, Abdel Bari Atwan. He is the editor of the newspaper known as "Al-Quds." He has interviewed bin Laden before. And, today's report is based on information that he has received. Hello, Abdel.

ABDEL BARI ATWAN, EDITOR, "AL-QUDS": Hi.

PHILLIPS: Why don't you first tell us how you received this information about bin Laden still being alive.

ATWAN: Well, you know, we received it from our own sources. They confirmed to me that, he was injured during the bombing of Tora Bora and other parts of Afghanistan, and there is shrapnel in his left shoulder, and I remember in his last -- or latest videotape, he could not move his left shoulder at all, and he -- we know he is -- personally, I know he is left-handed. So, it was clearly to me that the man was injured, the man was not really well.

So, I take all this information, and I managed to reach confirmation that, yes, he was injured, and he was a subject to a surgery and the shrapnel was removed from his left shoulder, and he is now perfectly well.

PHILLIPS: Abdel, how do you know that you can trust these sources?

ATWAN: Well, actually, you know, nobody can tell. But you know, through my previous experience, these sources were absolutely, you know, truthful. So I don't have any doubt that, you know, what they said is right. The man was clearly injured when he talked in his latest tapes, so -- and I'm not surprised. And one of his aides, actually, Mohammed Atef or Abu Hafs al Masri (ph), he was killed in one of these raids, and also, other members were killed. So I am not surprised if he was injured in this carpet bombing.

PHILLIPS: Did you ask to see Osama bin Laden?

ATWAN: No, you know, because nobody actually knew where he is, and I don't believe he's accessible. The man is really on the run all the time, and if I know where he is, I think, you know, I will cash the American reward which is imposed (ph) on his head.

So I don't think anybody knows, actually, where he is. Maybe if, an American with the latest equipments, with, you know the best of communications and the best spying warplanes, they cannot spot him. Do you think you know who would be able to do so?

PHILLIPS: So, these sources, these sources that you believe are telling you the truth, do they -- have they seen Osama bin Laden? Are they spending time with Osama bin Laden?

ATWAN: Well, I don't know, to be honest. I asked about that specifically, but they did not give me any further information. They said, You know, the man was injured, and he was subject to a surgery, and the shrapnel was removed, and now he is in good health, and even they denied that he has kidney failure, as many people reported previously. They said, No, if he has a kidney failure, he will be dead by now, because how can you find kidney washing machine, which is huge and needs special hospital. So, I think they were...

PHILLIPS: So, Abdel...

ATWAN: Sorry.

PHILLIPS: No, that's OK. I just -- what about medical reports? Have you actually seen any medical reports, or maybe any recent pictures to prove that your sources are right?

ATWAN: Well, actually I asked for that. They said, you know, definitely Osama bin Laden would come out in a videotape, after an attack is going to take place. After that, yes, he will talk. He doesn't want to say anything now because people will think he is just saying words and no actions. So, they actually silenced me by saying that. I believe the man is looking for publicity, and he is waiting for the right moment in order to, you know, organize an attack.

If he can manage to do so, and after that to come out as a hero as he expected to do, as he wanted to do, because, you know, now there is a huge frustration in the Muslim and the Arab worlds, maybe he would like to manipulate this or capitalize on this.

PHILLIPS: Abdel Bari Atwan. Thank you, sir.

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