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CNN Live Saturday

FBI Takes Control Over the Investigation Into the Pentagon Crash

Aired September 22, 2001 - 14:18   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.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Marty, officials who are familiar with the cockpit voice recorder are now confirming that there was a definite struggle on board the United airlines jet that crashed in Western Pennsylvania. Officials saying, there was shouting heard on those tapes in both English and Arabic, as well as scuffling noises. Relatives of several passengers received phone calls from the plane describing their plans to re-take it from the hijackers. President Bush has called those passengers heroes.

As for the crash of the American Airlines jet into the Pentagon, the FBI has now taken control of that investigation. Our Justice correspondent Kelli Arena now has an exclusive look inside the FBI Command Center.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The tips are pouring into this FBI Command Center at an overwhelming rate. Even with as many as 350 agents and 150 support staff working around the clock, gleaning useful information is a tedious job.

VAN HARP, FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: There is such a volume. We've never had an investigation like this, of this magnitude. I don't think anyone has. And the volume of information that we have, there have been numerous fictitious names and false addresses and cutouts, and that type of thing, and it's just -- it takes a long time analyzing all this information.

ARENA: But the Assistant Director in Charge Van Harp says the FBI is not going it alone.

HARP: We have customs, IRS, ATF, Arlington Police Department, Federal Protective Service, metropolitan police -- the Washington Metropolitan Police Department and our personnel. And it's a joint -- and the United States Attorney's office from Virginia, Eastern District of Virginia represented.

ARENA: Part of their focus is on finding out exactly what happened on American Airlines flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, and on locating nearly 200 people the Justice Department says may have information about the terrorist attacks.

HARP: Like drinking out of a fire hose, but we have made some material progress.

ARENA: But, as the agents piece together the information, chilling revelations. One of the hijackers, who crashed into the Pentagon, tried to polish his skills right in their own backyard at this small airport school in Bowie, Maryland.

HARP: The significance of this event, of this disaster, of this heinous crime, has had an impact on everyone in this country.

ARENA: CSCI is specifically looking into whether other hijacks were planned, and whether a similar threat still exists. So far, there are more than 80 people in custody, either as material witnesses or being held by the INS.

HARP: This is the worst criminal act I've ever seen, and our primary objective is to bring those people to justice, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) collect the intelligence and be able to prevent that prospectively. And that's exactly what we're doing.

ARENA: The agents here are noticeably tired, and there's no indication the pace will slow down anytime soon.

HARP: When you look at the dedication and the effort that these people are putting into this investigation, I think, in the long run, we will prevail.

ARENA: Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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