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Breaking News

U.S. to File Charges Against Abu Sayyaf Members

Aired July 23, 2002 - 12:05   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news to bring you now out of the Justice Department. We are told that it plans to announce charges against five Philippine rebels who are linked to al Qaeda in connection with last month's killing of a kidnapped American missionary.

Justice correspondent Kelli Arena now with more -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, those Philippine rebels are also members of the Philippine terrorist organization, Abu Sayyaf. As you said, the charges are in connection with the killing of American missionary, Martin Burnham.

U.S. officials have linked Abu Sayyaf to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. The charges are set to be announced at 1:00 at a press conference by Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson. The attorney general happens to be traveling in Canada at this time.

Kyra -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: Kelli, did you just -- I'm sorry. Did you say that his wife was traveling in Canada? Is that...

ARENA: No, no, no. I said that the attorney general is in Canada.

PHILLIPS: I'm sorry.

ARENA: The missionary's wife, though, since you bring her up...

PHILLIPS: Right, that's my question.

ARENA: Right, Gracia was rescued, if you remember, by Philippine troops in a gun battle with Abu Sayyaf last month. Her husband, though, Martin, unfortunately was killed, and the charges that are being brought today relate to the murder of that American missionary.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kelli Arena, thank you. I'm sorry I missed the last part of what you said.

ARENA: OK.

PHILLIPS: I was having a little technical problem.

All right, moving right along -- we'll follow that story, Kelli, thank you.

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