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CNN Live Today
Status of Al Qaeda
Aired May 22, 2003 - 11:09 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: One terrorism expert says Al Qaeda's key leadership does remain intact, but its ranks have been cut by two- thirds.
Rohan Gunaratna is the author of "Inside Al Qaeda." He joins us live by telephone from Singapore this morning to talk about the latest developments.
Good morning.
So do you think this is Al-Zawahiri?
ROHAN GUNARATNA, TERRORISM EXPERT: Yes, certainly it is Al- Zawahiri. It is his message. It is his type. It is his syntax. And you must all remember that Al-Zawahiri is not only the deputy to Osama, but he's also the principal strategist of Al Qaeda, and all his pronouncements have been the guide to future Al Qaeda actions.
COSTELLO: If it is Al-Zawahiri, does this prove to you that the core leadership of Al Qaeda is still in place?
GUNARATNA: Yes, certainly. Both Osama bin Laden and Dr. Al- Zawahiri are the core leaders, and these leaders are alive, and they are providing ideological and strategy direction by issuing such statements, trying to instigate and inspire the Muslims to attack the Westerners.
COSTELLO: You know, there have been two wars in two years. Everyone thought Al Qaeda was in retreat, but do you think it is or isn't?
GUNARATNA: Certainly there have been 3,100 arrests of al Qaeda Members and supporters in 98 countries in the past 16 months. But still, Al Qaeda is able to replenish their human losses, those captured or killed, and the material vestige (ph), the weapons and the finance lost or seized by the security forces.
COSTELLO: OK, I just have to ask you one last question, because everyone is concerned by the mention of Norway on this tape. Why would he mention Norway?
GUNARATNA: Well, it is very likely that Al Qaeda would not distinguish whether it was the Norwegian or the Denmark troops that were in Iraq, because Denmark participated in the Iraq campaign, but Norway did not. It is very likely that he made a mistake.
COSTELLO: Understand. Rohan Gunaratna, thanks for joining us. 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 22, 2003 - 11:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: One terrorism expert says Al Qaeda's key leadership does remain intact, but its ranks have been cut by two- thirds.
Rohan Gunaratna is the author of "Inside Al Qaeda." He joins us live by telephone from Singapore this morning to talk about the latest developments.
Good morning.
So do you think this is Al-Zawahiri?
ROHAN GUNARATNA, TERRORISM EXPERT: Yes, certainly it is Al- Zawahiri. It is his message. It is his type. It is his syntax. And you must all remember that Al-Zawahiri is not only the deputy to Osama, but he's also the principal strategist of Al Qaeda, and all his pronouncements have been the guide to future Al Qaeda actions.
COSTELLO: If it is Al-Zawahiri, does this prove to you that the core leadership of Al Qaeda is still in place?
GUNARATNA: Yes, certainly. Both Osama bin Laden and Dr. Al- Zawahiri are the core leaders, and these leaders are alive, and they are providing ideological and strategy direction by issuing such statements, trying to instigate and inspire the Muslims to attack the Westerners.
COSTELLO: You know, there have been two wars in two years. Everyone thought Al Qaeda was in retreat, but do you think it is or isn't?
GUNARATNA: Certainly there have been 3,100 arrests of al Qaeda Members and supporters in 98 countries in the past 16 months. But still, Al Qaeda is able to replenish their human losses, those captured or killed, and the material vestige (ph), the weapons and the finance lost or seized by the security forces.
COSTELLO: OK, I just have to ask you one last question, because everyone is concerned by the mention of Norway on this tape. Why would he mention Norway?
GUNARATNA: Well, it is very likely that Al Qaeda would not distinguish whether it was the Norwegian or the Denmark troops that were in Iraq, because Denmark participated in the Iraq campaign, but Norway did not. It is very likely that he made a mistake.
COSTELLO: Understand. Rohan Gunaratna, thanks for joining us. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
