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CNN Live At Daybreak
Big Roundup in Saudi Arabia
Aired May 28, 2003 - 06:31 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: A big roundup in Saudi Arabia. At least eight terrorist suspects are now in custody, including the man authorities say planned the attacks in Riyadh. Those attacks killed 34, including 8 Americans.
On our live line now, Walter Rodgers in Riyadh.
Good morning -- Walter.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
In the last 24 hours, there have been indications of further arrests, both in Medina and Riyadh -- this, in response to the investigation of the suicide attacks on Western residential compounds in Riyadh earlier this month.
Unofficial sources told CNN as many as eight Islamic militants were arrested in Medina last night -- this, after what was said to be a running gun battle.
The Ministry of Information has not released information on any of these latest arrests, and there are conflicting reports about the numbers of those nabbed, ranging from three to five to even eight men.
Reuters has reported one of those arrested was the alleged mastermind of the May 12 bombing, but again, there has been no official confirmation from the Saudi government.
Robert Jordan, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, briefing reporters this morning said there remains a continuing threat to Western interests and to the Saudi government from these Islamists terrorists. Ambassador Jordan said despite the efforts of the Saudis, it's very likely there are other terrorist cells operating in Saudi Arabia, most probably, he said, al Qaeda.
All U.S. embassy dependents and non-essential personnel left Riyadh earlier this month, and the embassy is basically assuming the worst about future threats here. The string of bombings that occurred May 12 killed 25 people, including 8 Americans. Nine of the bombers were also killed.
A 60-person FBI investigating team, which has been sifting through the evidence here, is returning to the United States toward the end of the week. Another much smaller FBI team is expected to replace it. Unlike previous investigations, however, of attacks on Westerners, this time the Saudis are getting very high marks from the United States for their cooperation Carol.
COSTELLO: Walter Rodgers reporting live on the phone from Riyadh this morning.
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 28, 2003 - 06:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A big roundup in Saudi Arabia. At least eight terrorist suspects are now in custody, including the man authorities say planned the attacks in Riyadh. Those attacks killed 34, including 8 Americans.
On our live line now, Walter Rodgers in Riyadh.
Good morning -- Walter.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
In the last 24 hours, there have been indications of further arrests, both in Medina and Riyadh -- this, in response to the investigation of the suicide attacks on Western residential compounds in Riyadh earlier this month.
Unofficial sources told CNN as many as eight Islamic militants were arrested in Medina last night -- this, after what was said to be a running gun battle.
The Ministry of Information has not released information on any of these latest arrests, and there are conflicting reports about the numbers of those nabbed, ranging from three to five to even eight men.
Reuters has reported one of those arrested was the alleged mastermind of the May 12 bombing, but again, there has been no official confirmation from the Saudi government.
Robert Jordan, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, briefing reporters this morning said there remains a continuing threat to Western interests and to the Saudi government from these Islamists terrorists. Ambassador Jordan said despite the efforts of the Saudis, it's very likely there are other terrorist cells operating in Saudi Arabia, most probably, he said, al Qaeda.
All U.S. embassy dependents and non-essential personnel left Riyadh earlier this month, and the embassy is basically assuming the worst about future threats here. The string of bombings that occurred May 12 killed 25 people, including 8 Americans. Nine of the bombers were also killed.
A 60-person FBI investigating team, which has been sifting through the evidence here, is returning to the United States toward the end of the week. Another much smaller FBI team is expected to replace it. Unlike previous investigations, however, of attacks on Westerners, this time the Saudis are getting very high marks from the United States for their cooperation Carol.
COSTELLO: Walter Rodgers reporting live on the phone from Riyadh this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
