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CNN Live At Daybreak
Wake-Up Call: Saudi Security Gaps
Aired May 15, 2003 - 06:02 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: Let's start now, though, with the investigation into Monday's bombings in Riyadh. A top U.S. official secretly visited Saudi Arabia two days before the attack and asked the Saudi government to increase security at one of the buildings hit.
The Saudi ambassador to the United States acknowledges the request was made, but he says Saudi officials felt differently about the security in place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE BANDAR BIN SULTAN, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Our security agencies took measures. When they investigated this place they found it had adequate security. The proof of that is when the attack took place on that compound, only, unfortunately, sadly, the two guards -- one Saudi air force guard and one civilian -- were killed, but the physical barrier stopped that attack to hurt people inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: An FBI team that will help with the bombing investigation is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia today.
But in light of what we just said, many are criticizing the Saudis for not doing more to prevent the terror attack, and many worry they're not doing enough now to find those responsible.
Our State Department producer, Elise Labott, on the line for this morning's "Wake-Up Call."
Good morning -- Elise.
ELISE LABOTT, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, the United States did ask the Saudis to do more to protect Westerners. Did they or didn't they?
LABOTT: Well, Carol, just -- you know, the U.S. had intelligence for some time about a potential attack against American interests. And just days before the bombing, Deputy National Security Advisor Steve Hadley did travel to the kingdom, shared some of this intelligence with Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Abdullah, and asked the Saudis to boost security in at least one of those compounds that was hit.
Now, yesterday, we heard U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan criticize the Saudis, saying he was disappointed for not providing that security, but you heard the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. say security was boosted.
And privately, Carol, U.S. officials acknowledge there is a complicated bureaucracy in Saudi Arabia, cultural differences, the wheels turn very slow there. And often, unless there is an order straight from the top, they don't get carried out. And some officials suggest that after the Saudis found that weapons cache last week, they might have grown complacent and felt they countered the threat. That's what this team is going to be examining. What was asked for? What was provided? What wasn't provided? What can be done to prevent this in the future?
Now, clearly the Saudi government realizes more needs to be done, and both sides are saying they hope they can learn from those mistakes. But, Carol, the U.S. clearly has a real lack of confidence in Saudi's security, at least for the time being, and the government's ability to protect Americans in the wake of possible more threats. And that prompted them to order that departure of all personnel from the embassy and consulate and all of the families this week -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, you can certainly understand that because, you know, the Saudis may have found that cache of weapons, but the 19 suspects escaped, and now they're looking for them.
LABOTT: Well, that's right, Carol. Officials are saying that this is a real wake-up call for the Saudis, and that they're in somewhat of a denial about the terrorist problem in their country. And the way the Saudis respond is going to have a huge impact on the way the relationship goes from here. If the Saudis can take significant steps to counter terrorist elements that exist in their country, this can really cement the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, make it a lot stronger.
They have been cooperating a lot more in recent months. But if the Saudis fail to meet this challenge, fail to crack down on terrorists, it can cause even further fissures in the relationship. And no doubt officials are saying it's a breaking point in that relationship -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Elise Labott, thanks for waking up early with DAYBREAK.
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 May 15, 2003 - 06:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's start now, though, with the investigation into Monday's bombings in Riyadh. A top U.S. official secretly visited Saudi Arabia two days before the attack and asked the Saudi government to increase security at one of the buildings hit.
The Saudi ambassador to the United States acknowledges the request was made, but he says Saudi officials felt differently about the security in place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE BANDAR BIN SULTAN, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Our security agencies took measures. When they investigated this place they found it had adequate security. The proof of that is when the attack took place on that compound, only, unfortunately, sadly, the two guards -- one Saudi air force guard and one civilian -- were killed, but the physical barrier stopped that attack to hurt people inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: An FBI team that will help with the bombing investigation is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia today.
But in light of what we just said, many are criticizing the Saudis for not doing more to prevent the terror attack, and many worry they're not doing enough now to find those responsible.
Our State Department producer, Elise Labott, on the line for this morning's "Wake-Up Call."
Good morning -- Elise.
ELISE LABOTT, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, the United States did ask the Saudis to do more to protect Westerners. Did they or didn't they?
LABOTT: Well, Carol, just -- you know, the U.S. had intelligence for some time about a potential attack against American interests. And just days before the bombing, Deputy National Security Advisor Steve Hadley did travel to the kingdom, shared some of this intelligence with Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Abdullah, and asked the Saudis to boost security in at least one of those compounds that was hit.
Now, yesterday, we heard U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan criticize the Saudis, saying he was disappointed for not providing that security, but you heard the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. say security was boosted.
And privately, Carol, U.S. officials acknowledge there is a complicated bureaucracy in Saudi Arabia, cultural differences, the wheels turn very slow there. And often, unless there is an order straight from the top, they don't get carried out. And some officials suggest that after the Saudis found that weapons cache last week, they might have grown complacent and felt they countered the threat. That's what this team is going to be examining. What was asked for? What was provided? What wasn't provided? What can be done to prevent this in the future?
Now, clearly the Saudi government realizes more needs to be done, and both sides are saying they hope they can learn from those mistakes. But, Carol, the U.S. clearly has a real lack of confidence in Saudi's security, at least for the time being, and the government's ability to protect Americans in the wake of possible more threats. And that prompted them to order that departure of all personnel from the embassy and consulate and all of the families this week -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, you can certainly understand that because, you know, the Saudis may have found that cache of weapons, but the 19 suspects escaped, and now they're looking for them.
LABOTT: Well, that's right, Carol. Officials are saying that this is a real wake-up call for the Saudis, and that they're in somewhat of a denial about the terrorist problem in their country. And the way the Saudis respond is going to have a huge impact on the way the relationship goes from here. If the Saudis can take significant steps to counter terrorist elements that exist in their country, this can really cement the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, make it a lot stronger.
They have been cooperating a lot more in recent months. But if the Saudis fail to meet this challenge, fail to crack down on terrorists, it can cause even further fissures in the relationship. And no doubt officials are saying it's a breaking point in that relationship -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Elise Labott, thanks for waking up early with DAYBREAK.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
