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CNN Live At Daybreak
Getting Out of Haiti
Aired February 26, 2004 - 06:03 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: The terror inside Haiti is now driving people out. Despite President Bush's warnings, dozens of Haitians are trying to get into the United States.
CNN's John Zarrella is in Miami, where a freighter has been intercepted. He joins us by phone this morning.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Carol, federal agents of ICE -- Immigration Customs Enforcement agents -- along with the Coast Guard, spent a long night on this 200-foot freighter, the Margot, trying to figure out exactly who the 17 supposed hijackers are.
Now, the story is that about three days ago, 17 men took over or commandeered this 200-foot freighter, forced the captain to sail towards Miami, apparently boarding the ship somewhere in Haiti, made it to Miami about 4:00 yesterday afternoon. The United States Coast Guard got word from the ship's captain that there were men on board with weapons, and that they wanted to come to Miami.
The ship was ordered to stop about five miles off the coast of Miami. Eventually, about 7:00 p.m. last night, federal agents boarded the ship after the men had released -- dropped their weapons literally over the side in a bag. And that's when the evaluations to determine who these people are begun.
Still not clear at this hour what will happen, whether they will be brought to shore, perhaps prosecuted, or if they will be turned around and sent back to Haiti.
But at this hour, our understanding is that all of the people are still on board that 200-foot freighter, the evaluations continue, and then recommendations would, of course, have to be made to the U.S. attorney's office here in Miami -- Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, John, it's so confusing when things happen on the water, especially in international waters. If authorities decide to charge these people and try them, where would they be tried?
ZARRELLA: Well, that would probably be tried -- the trial would probably be held here in Miami, certainly because they are now within the territorial waters of Miami. And therefore, the U.S. attorney's office here would have authority over them.
But it is very unclear, at least at this point very early this morning, as to what ultimately will happen. The president of the United States (AUDIO GAP) Haitians to go back to -- be sent back immediately.
So, this is going to be very interesting, the first test case of what Washington's policy will be -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, John Zarrella reporting live from Miami by phone 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 February 26, 2004 - 06:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The terror inside Haiti is now driving people out. Despite President Bush's warnings, dozens of Haitians are trying to get into the United States.
CNN's John Zarrella is in Miami, where a freighter has been intercepted. He joins us by phone this morning.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Carol, federal agents of ICE -- Immigration Customs Enforcement agents -- along with the Coast Guard, spent a long night on this 200-foot freighter, the Margot, trying to figure out exactly who the 17 supposed hijackers are.
Now, the story is that about three days ago, 17 men took over or commandeered this 200-foot freighter, forced the captain to sail towards Miami, apparently boarding the ship somewhere in Haiti, made it to Miami about 4:00 yesterday afternoon. The United States Coast Guard got word from the ship's captain that there were men on board with weapons, and that they wanted to come to Miami.
The ship was ordered to stop about five miles off the coast of Miami. Eventually, about 7:00 p.m. last night, federal agents boarded the ship after the men had released -- dropped their weapons literally over the side in a bag. And that's when the evaluations to determine who these people are begun.
Still not clear at this hour what will happen, whether they will be brought to shore, perhaps prosecuted, or if they will be turned around and sent back to Haiti.
But at this hour, our understanding is that all of the people are still on board that 200-foot freighter, the evaluations continue, and then recommendations would, of course, have to be made to the U.S. attorney's office here in Miami -- Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, John, it's so confusing when things happen on the water, especially in international waters. If authorities decide to charge these people and try them, where would they be tried?
ZARRELLA: Well, that would probably be tried -- the trial would probably be held here in Miami, certainly because they are now within the territorial waters of Miami. And therefore, the U.S. attorney's office here would have authority over them.
But it is very unclear, at least at this point very early this morning, as to what ultimately will happen. The president of the United States (AUDIO GAP) Haitians to go back to -- be sent back immediately.
So, this is going to be very interesting, the first test case of what Washington's policy will be -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, John Zarrella reporting live from Miami by phone 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.
