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Breaking News

Chemical Ali's Status 'Unknown'

Aired June 05, 2003 - 12:56   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We're getting a story in from our Pentagon producer, Mike Mount. A significant development unfolding right now: the U.S. government changing the status of the Iraqi official known as Chemical Ali, Ali Hassan al-Majid. His status had earlier been described officially as killed, killed in a U.S. bombing raid during the course of the war in Iraq.
Now, according to our Mike Mount at the pentagon, his status is being changed to unknown, that the result of intelligence reports, individuals saying they have seen Ali Hassan al-Majid, Chemical Ali, in recent days and weeks.

So once again, Chemical Ali not necessarily killed anymore. Now his status simply described, officially, as unknown. This individual responsible for chemical weapons production capabilities in Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

We'll continue to watch this story throughout the afternoon. Get some more information. Thanks to Mike Mount for reporting that.

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 June 5, 2003 - 12:56   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We're getting a story in from our Pentagon producer, Mike Mount. A significant development unfolding right now: the U.S. government changing the status of the Iraqi official known as Chemical Ali, Ali Hassan al-Majid. His status had earlier been described officially as killed, killed in a U.S. bombing raid during the course of the war in Iraq.
Now, according to our Mike Mount at the pentagon, his status is being changed to unknown, that the result of intelligence reports, individuals saying they have seen Ali Hassan al-Majid, Chemical Ali, in recent days and weeks.

So once again, Chemical Ali not necessarily killed anymore. Now his status simply described, officially, as unknown. This individual responsible for chemical weapons production capabilities in Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

We'll continue to watch this story throughout the afternoon. Get some more information. Thanks to Mike Mount for reporting that.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com