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CNN Sunday Morning

Iraqi Liaison to U.N. Inspectors Captured

Aired April 27, 2003 - 11:01   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.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to more on this arrest of the latest from this list of most-wanted Iraqis. His name, General Husam Muhammad Amin. He was a liaison to U.N. weapons inspectors, often appeared on television. And it's believed he was close to a son of Saddam Hussein. For more we go to CNN's Patty Davis, live at the Pentagon.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, no confirmation yet from Central Command on what Nic Robertson is reporting, a possible chemical weapons find there in Iraq.

But what they are confirming is that the six of clubs, one of the big fish on that U.S. deck of cards of most-wanted Iraqis, is now in custody. Lieutenant General Husam Muhammad Amin al Yasin is number 49 out of 55. U.S. Central Command today not giving any details, though, of his arrest. Where it happened, whether he was captured, or whether he gave himself up.

Could he tell the U.S. where Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction are? Surely the U.S. is hoping he has been very visible. Before the war, while those weapons inspections were going on, kind of Iraq's voice, saying that it had no weapons of mass destruction. And the U.S. also, of course, hoping that he could lead them to other top Iraqi officials, perhaps even Saddam Hussein himself.

Meanwhile, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense, is touring the Middle East. Rumsfeld plans to go to Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow. We are told now that he will hold a town hall meeting with coalition troops in Qatar. He wants to thank them for all of their efforts in the war with Iraq. Rumsfeld also plans to meet with Persian Gulf leaders to thank them, and also talk about the future of U.S. troops in the region. Anderson?

COOPER: Patty, another update on one of the other most wanted Iraqis. I understand General Tommy Franks has told pool reporters that Tariq Aziz, who is in custody, is cooperating. Any information on that?

DAVIS: Well, apparently what Franks said is that he's talking, that Tariq Aziz is cooperating, but he went on to say that the U.S. does not know if this man is telling the truth or not. Now, Franks also says that there is no evidence at this point that Saddam Hussein is alive. Anderson?

COOPER: All right, Patty Davis continuing to follow a number of stories today at the Pentagon. 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 April 27, 2003 - 11:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to more on this arrest of the latest from this list of most-wanted Iraqis. His name, General Husam Muhammad Amin. He was a liaison to U.N. weapons inspectors, often appeared on television. And it's believed he was close to a son of Saddam Hussein. For more we go to CNN's Patty Davis, live at the Pentagon.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, no confirmation yet from Central Command on what Nic Robertson is reporting, a possible chemical weapons find there in Iraq.

But what they are confirming is that the six of clubs, one of the big fish on that U.S. deck of cards of most-wanted Iraqis, is now in custody. Lieutenant General Husam Muhammad Amin al Yasin is number 49 out of 55. U.S. Central Command today not giving any details, though, of his arrest. Where it happened, whether he was captured, or whether he gave himself up.

Could he tell the U.S. where Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction are? Surely the U.S. is hoping he has been very visible. Before the war, while those weapons inspections were going on, kind of Iraq's voice, saying that it had no weapons of mass destruction. And the U.S. also, of course, hoping that he could lead them to other top Iraqi officials, perhaps even Saddam Hussein himself.

Meanwhile, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense, is touring the Middle East. Rumsfeld plans to go to Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow. We are told now that he will hold a town hall meeting with coalition troops in Qatar. He wants to thank them for all of their efforts in the war with Iraq. Rumsfeld also plans to meet with Persian Gulf leaders to thank them, and also talk about the future of U.S. troops in the region. Anderson?

COOPER: Patty, another update on one of the other most wanted Iraqis. I understand General Tommy Franks has told pool reporters that Tariq Aziz, who is in custody, is cooperating. Any information on that?

DAVIS: Well, apparently what Franks said is that he's talking, that Tariq Aziz is cooperating, but he went on to say that the U.S. does not know if this man is telling the truth or not. Now, Franks also says that there is no evidence at this point that Saddam Hussein is alive. Anderson?

COOPER: All right, Patty Davis continuing to follow a number of stories today at the Pentagon. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com