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CNN Live Today

Afghan Authorities Arrest Suspected al Qaeda With Explosives

Aired July 30, 2002 - 12:31   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: Authorities in Afghanistan say they have arrested a suspected al Qaeda operative in a car loaded with explosives.

CNN's Nic Robertson joins us now from Kabul with the latest from there -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The discovery of this car full of explosives triggered a meeting between the president here, his defense minister, the foreign minister, and various other top officials, to discuss security in the capitol. They say that this vehicle contained a very sophisticated bomb. It contained 800 pounds of explosives with a sophisticated trigger mechanism. They say they believe that the bomb was made -- the car bomb was made -- outside of Afghanistan and brought into the country.

The one person that they have detained so far is, they say, a member of al Qaeda. They say that he is a foreigner, but that he is not cooperating very well. What they say they do know, however, was that his primary target was that of the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMRULLAH SALIHI, AFGHAN INTELLIGENCE: Based on the initial results of the investigation, it has become clear for us that his first objective was to assassinate his excellency Mr. Karzai or key ministers of the Cabinet. Failing to do so, he was tasked to hit foreign facilities in the capitol of Afghanistan, like embassies or NGOs or other facilities. Failing to do the third option, kill as many people as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Now, the government officials say that the investigation is ongoing, that his questioning will continue. They say that people should wait until more details become clear.

But there are some things here that do remain unclear at this time. The foreign minister, for example, talks of two suspects being involved. The interior ministry refers to some three people it believes were involved. One intelligence official says there was only one person involved in this so far -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Nic, a couple weeks ago, you were telling us about U.S. soldiers training bodyguards for Hamid Karzai. On this mote of security and these dangers that surround him, what's the latest with that training?

ROBERTSON: Well, as far as we know, that training is going on. It is a closely guarded secret. It is, we are told, supposed to involve between 40 and 50 U.S. trainers. Security here is a very key issue. And the matter of Hamid Karzai choosing U.S. trainers to train his official bodyguards is a matter of tension here. Those bodyguards are supplied by the defense ministry. There are tensions at this time between President Hamid Karzai and the defense ministry. The issue of the car bomb, the issue of these U.S. trainers training Hamid Karzai's personal security are just matters that further strain that already delicate relationship, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Nic Robertson, live from Kabul. Thanks, Nic.

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