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CNN Live Today

N.Y. Authorities Arrest Six Suspected of Having Ties to Al Qaeda

Aired September 16, 2002 - 10:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take a closer look now at the terror investigation in upstate New York this morning. Authorities have arrested six men suspected of having ties to Al Qaeda. While the investigation continues, Erie County Sheriff Patrick Gallivan joins us with some more background on the case.
Good morning. Thank you very much for talking with us today.

PATRICK GALLIVAN, ERIE COUNTY N.Y. SHERIFF: You're welcome, Leon.

HARRIS: As I understand it, these men have been under surveillance for some time, correct?

GALLIVAN: Well, the joint terrorism task force here in western new York has been working on a number of different things, including this particular case, for a length of time.

HARRIS: OK, what is it that have you been looking for, that the task force has been observing with these men?

GALLIVAN: Well, I am really not at liberty to talk about the particulars of the case, but information was developed that certain individuals from west New York might be involved or might be connected in some way, shape or form to terrorist activities. So of course that information was followed up on, and ultimately, it's culminated in the arrest of these individuals.

HARRIS: As I understand it, though, there is no fear that there is any indication there was some sort of attack that was pending or that they were working on something?

GALLIVAN: Well, that's -- you're absolutely correct, and it's good that you point that out -- at no time did we get information that anybody here in western New York or any interests within the United States was ever in danger or that anything was planned to be done here domestically on our soil.

HARRIS: As I heard, I have heard some comments that have come from neighbors from those of the community familiar, and I believe also from one family member for one of the people detained right now. They say that there was never any indication in their community that these men were ever involved with anything like this. Can you give us any idea of what actually may have tipped off authorities?

GALLIVAN: Well, this is not something that's uncommon. When somebody is convicted of a crime, especially somebody who by all accounts has been a fine, upstanding citizen, many times family members, friends, people in the community are shocked and raise questions about it, but the terrorism, joint terrorism task force, headed by the FBI has conducted an investigation over a length of time. The investigation is thorough and the evidence was sufficient enough to be able to secure arrests warrants for the individual. And of course, now in federal court we will be going forward with the prosecution.

HARRIS: Is it your belief or the task force's belief that the cell is totally contained within the five men? Or is it a wider operation that they are with possibly?

GALLIVAN: As many people are aware, there was three unnamed co- conspirators, so the investigation was continuing, and into the location, trying to ascertain the whereabouts of these individuals, following through on anything else that might develop, and all I am really able to say is that the investigation is continuing, and that it will continue for as long as necessary.

HARRIS: All right, Patrick Gallivan, sheriff of Erie County, thank you very much. We will continue to watch the case and see how it develops.

GALLIVAN: Thanks, Leon.

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