Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

`Wall Street Journal' Wants Proof Pearl is Alive

Aired February 02, 2002 - 14:02   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The "Wall Street Journal" is urging those who have abducted one of its journalists to provide proof that he is still alive. The newspaper has discounted a recent e-mail that Daniel Pearl was killed. CNN's Ben Wedeman has the latest from Karachi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The fate of kidnapped "Wall Street Journal" Daniel Pearl is still uncertain, but there is still hope that he may be alive. According to a statement put out by the "World Street Journal," its managing editor, they say, "Based upon reports from Pakistan, we now believe that both of the messages received yesterday about Danny were false. We continue to believe that Danny is alive."

This is significant, because two messages were received simultaneously on Friday evening. One of them, in the form of an anonymous phone call to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. In it, the caller demanded $2 million and the release of the former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan in exchange for the release of Daniel Pearl. The second message came in the form of an e-mail, in which the kidnappers of Mr. Pearl claimed that they had carried out their threat to kill him.

However, after a long search of the more than 200 graveyards in Karachi, Pakistani police say they have found no body and they believe that Mr. Pearl is still alive. The statement from the "Wall Street Journal" goes on to say, "We urge the kidnappers to release Danny. If that is not possible, we call on them to demonstrate that Danny remains alive. They can do this by providing us with a photo of Danny holding today's newspaper."

Now the e-mail in which they claimed that Mr. Pearl had been executed did not contain a photo, unlike two previous e-mails received from the kidnappers. Meanwhile, the Pakistani investigation continues at top speed. According to the police, a raid has been made on a private home. Laptops and desktop computers have been confiscated, and three individuals brought in for questioning.

I'm Ben Wedeman, CNN, reporting from Karachi.

(END VIDEOTAPE) WHITFIELD: Now U.S. officials say they are still on the Daniel Pearl case. The White House says it is working closely with Pakistan. CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us live from Washington with more on that. Hi there, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Fredricka. Well, U.S. officials have been reacting very cautiously, really, from yesterday on to these reports. And that continues today, saying they still have not been able to verify the authenticity of these e-mails. A State Department spokesman telling CNN a bit earlier this afternoon, quote, "We are trying to interpret and ascertain the facts surrounding this case. We are working in close cooperation with Pakistani officials. Mr. Pearl should be released immediately and unconditionally. His continued detention is no help to the cause of those who hold him."

Now as for President Bush, he is spending this weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland. He did begin his day with his daily intelligence briefing. And at that time, of course, he would have been given the latest information this administration has surrounding the case of Daniel Pearl. Yesterday, in fact, Mr. Bush, during a meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan talking to reporters, he did express his concern about Mr. Pearl. This appearance by Mr. Bush before some of those reports coming out later in the day of possibilities about Daniel Pearl's fate.

Mr. Bush, saying the U.S. working very, very closely with Pakistani authorities. The president also saying that he had just spoken on the phone yesterday with FBI Director Robert Mueller about the matter. The president saying that FBI agents are following every lead. And, Fredricka, the president also saying that U.S. officials looking at those e-mails to see if they could provide any clues about where Daniel Pearl is. The president saying the U.S. doing everything it possibly can to rescue him -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much, Kelly Wallace, at the White House.

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