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CNN Live Saturday

Possible Lab for Chemical Weapons Discovered in Afghanistan

Aired March 23, 2002 - 22:06   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Let's turn now to Afghanistan where U.S. military officials are analyzing a possible chemical and biological research facility that was discovered near Kandahar in Afghanistan. Now, the site was described as -- quote -- "under construction" by al Qaeda forces in the region. CNN's Jonathan Aiken now at the Pentagon with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN AIKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on-camera): The U.S. military command confirms that U.S. troops have discovered what could be a possible laboratory for the development of biological and chemical weapons, a discovery made by U.S. forces that were operating in an area the Pentagon describes as near Kandahar, in eastern Afghanistan.

The military was quick to point out that this laboratory, which was still under construction when it was discovered, wasn't close to producing anything toxic. There were no biological or chemical agents discovered on site. We're told there was no evidence of anthrax and we're told there was no active production of material -- and you could read that to suggest that the lab itself was not up and running and not capable of really manufacturing anything quite yet.

What was there, according to the Pentagon, medical supplies and commonly available laboratory equipment and materials described as suitable for the growing of biological samples as well as associated supplies. The Pentagon points to the discovery of this lab and about 60 other sites within Afghanistan spotted by U.S. troops and investigated by them as well, as proof that al Qaeda was serious about its stated intention of developing biological weapons of mass destruction though one U.S. official told CNN on Saturday, the development of weapons still beyond al Qaeda's grasp.

And U.S. military officials aren't really saying how the troops discovered this particular site, whether they stumbled on it by luck, they came across it by aerial reconnaissance and surveillance or whether it came through intelligence gathered through the interrogation by detainees either in Kandahar or at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Jonathan Aiken for CNN, at the Pentagon.

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