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CNN Live At Daybreak
Evidence Dispute in Kenya Attack
Aired December 02, 2002 - 06:08 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: Now for the latest on the attack in Kenya. A dispute has developed among investigators at the bombing scene.
CNN's Ben Wedeman has a live update from Mombasa.
Ben -- what's the deal?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are -- a dispute may be a stronger word than what's going on. Basically, the Kenyans are considering an Israeli request that the Israeli investigators be able to take back to Israel several vital pieces of evidence that they have found in and around the grounds of the Paradise hotel.
Now, one of those -- or rather, one set is some pieces of some gas welding cylinders that they believe may have been packed with as much as 200 kilograms of high explosives, which were used to devastate this hotel, killing 10 Kenyans and 3 Israelis.
Another piece of evidence are two launchers, which were used to fire the missiles at that Israeli passenger jet -- that happening almost simultaneously with the bombing of the Paradise hotel.
Thirdly, there are -- they found the charred remains of an AK-47 assault rifle on the grounds of the hotel as well.
And obviously, the Israelis, who have the technical resources to analyze these things, would like to take these back to Israel. The Kenyans are saying they're considering this request, but at this point, we are hearing from the Kenyan police that they have yet to take a decision on this request.
Meanwhile, my colleague, Catherine Bond, earlier this morning had an opportunity to speak to somebody who may have been one of the last people who saw and spoke with the suicide bombers themselves. That was a farmer who lives just up the road from here, who spoke with them just moments before it appears they drove inside the compound of the hotel.
This is what he told her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHAMISI HARD DECHE, EYEWITNESS: It could have given me time to check their passports (ph) properly (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the passenger was (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I said no. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) said they told me that they are just waiting for their friend. No more questions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, one other bit of information coming out of Israel, apparently some sources in Israel believe that this attack was planned in Pakistan, that a forward base was established in Somalia. Of course, Somalia is just north of here. It's a place which really doesn't have much of a government, and which many experts believe may be something of a breeding ground for terrorist activities in East Africa.
At the same time, a spokesman for the Somali transitional government, which is what passes for a government in Somalia, is saying that they would welcome U.S. investigators to come to Somalia themselves and have a look.
Back to you -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Interesting. Ben Wedeman, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired December 2, 2002 - 06:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now for the latest on the attack in Kenya. A dispute has developed among investigators at the bombing scene.
CNN's Ben Wedeman has a live update from Mombasa.
Ben -- what's the deal?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are -- a dispute may be a stronger word than what's going on. Basically, the Kenyans are considering an Israeli request that the Israeli investigators be able to take back to Israel several vital pieces of evidence that they have found in and around the grounds of the Paradise hotel.
Now, one of those -- or rather, one set is some pieces of some gas welding cylinders that they believe may have been packed with as much as 200 kilograms of high explosives, which were used to devastate this hotel, killing 10 Kenyans and 3 Israelis.
Another piece of evidence are two launchers, which were used to fire the missiles at that Israeli passenger jet -- that happening almost simultaneously with the bombing of the Paradise hotel.
Thirdly, there are -- they found the charred remains of an AK-47 assault rifle on the grounds of the hotel as well.
And obviously, the Israelis, who have the technical resources to analyze these things, would like to take these back to Israel. The Kenyans are saying they're considering this request, but at this point, we are hearing from the Kenyan police that they have yet to take a decision on this request.
Meanwhile, my colleague, Catherine Bond, earlier this morning had an opportunity to speak to somebody who may have been one of the last people who saw and spoke with the suicide bombers themselves. That was a farmer who lives just up the road from here, who spoke with them just moments before it appears they drove inside the compound of the hotel.
This is what he told her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHAMISI HARD DECHE, EYEWITNESS: It could have given me time to check their passports (ph) properly (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the passenger was (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I said no. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) said they told me that they are just waiting for their friend. No more questions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, one other bit of information coming out of Israel, apparently some sources in Israel believe that this attack was planned in Pakistan, that a forward base was established in Somalia. Of course, Somalia is just north of here. It's a place which really doesn't have much of a government, and which many experts believe may be something of a breeding ground for terrorist activities in East Africa.
At the same time, a spokesman for the Somali transitional government, which is what passes for a government in Somalia, is saying that they would welcome U.S. investigators to come to Somalia themselves and have a look.
Back to you -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Interesting. Ben Wedeman, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
