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CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: The Investigation Into Terrorism

Aired September 26, 2001 - 09:37   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go back to John King in Washington for more.

John, I don't know what the women in Washington are saying this morning, but the woman here in New York thinks Miles looks awfully good in that flight suit.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I can't speak for the women in Washington. I can say I'm a little jealous of Miles this morning. He is not only back home, but he's about to get quite a ride there. Just a little breeze here in Washington, no Gs up here on the roof.

We want to turn our attention now to the investigation. Police in Spain have arrested six Algerians believed to have ties to Osama bin Laden. Authorities suspect the men of helping prepare attacks on U.S. targets in Europe.

Back in this country, the FBI is launching a massive check of truck drivers licensed to carry hazardous materials.

CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While crop dusters are once again in the air following a precautionary grounding, the FBI is still trying to determine whether there remains a specific threat of a chemical or biological attack.

ASHCROFT: Today, I can report to you that our investigation has uncovered several individuals, including individuals who may have links to the hijackers, who fraudulently have obtained, or attempted to obtain, hazardous material transportation licenses.

ARENA: Justice officials say 20 people have been charged since the terrorist attacks with fraudulently attempting to obtain so-called HAZMAT licenses. And as CNN has reported, one of the alleged terrorists, Mohamed Atta, had inquired about buying and operating crop dusters at this Florida airfield, a potential chemical or biological delivery system.

Atta, whom the FBI says helped hijack Flight 11, which crashed into the World Trade Center, is a central focus of the investigation, as authorities attempt to follow up tens of thousands of leads. Some of these leads haven't panned out. The FBI released San Antonio doctor, Albader Alhazmi, who had been detained as a material witness, and questioned for more than a week.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know there's a lot of folks here at the FBI who are working long hours.

ARENA: President Bush, giving a pep talk to the investigators at FBI headquarters, vowed the U.S. will find anyone connected to the attacks.

BUSH: They've got a problem on their hands. We're going to find them and if they're hiding, we're going to smoke them out. And we will bring them to justice.

ARENA: Part of smoke out effort is focused on money and how the hijackers financed their operation. Law enforcement sources say they may have been frugal, trying to send back unspent funds before the attacks. Sources say Mohamed Atta wired several payments in the days before the attack, though it's not clear to whom. And two other suspected hijackers also wired money to the United Arab Emirates on the morning of the attack.

DE MAURICE SMITH, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: The goal is to determine the links, the connections between not only the cells, but also their support here and abroad.

ARENA: Another focus of the investigation is on the three airports from which the hijacked planes departed. Sources say investigators are questioning employees who have ramp access at the airports, including airline caterers, based on the theory the hijackers could have had inside help. That theory is supported by the fact the box cutters were found on other flights grounded on September 11.

(on-camera): Sources say investigators have not been able to directly link any of the leads they've established to the terrorist attacks. But only two weeks old, law enforcement officials point out, the investigation is still in its early stages.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KING: As you can see in the piece there. President Bush went across to visit the FBI to say thank you, and cheer on those leading the investigation.

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