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CNN Live At Daybreak

Walker to Return to U.S. as Early as Today

Aired January 23, 2002 - 06:01   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: More on John Walker now, the Taliban-American is expected back on U.S. soil in a matter of hours. CNN's Martin Savidge joins us from Kandahar, Afghanistan with the story, a strange story of Walker's return -- tell us Marty.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you Carol. John Walker has been a man of mystery. He is still a man keeping a lot of mysteries, at least as far as his travel plans. U.S. Army here, which is in control of the Kandahar Airport pretty much sticking to the story they've been saying for about the last 24 hours, which is "John Walker who?"

They are not saying anything about whether he transited through this airport, but of course CNN has learned that John Walker did in fact come here to the Kandahar Airport last night. In fact we're quite confident that we witnessed his arrival in the confusion and the darkness standing on the apron just outside of the terminal here.

We watched this AC-130 pulled up very close to the building, near the area where the detainees are held. The rear ramp came down. We saw security force move in, some sort of a vehicle backed towards the aircraft, and it appeared to be that somewhere amidst a group of soldiers was a non-combatant. Was it John Walker? Well, no one, as we say, is verifying that here today.

But coincidentally enough, today here was the Director of the FBI, Robert Mueller. Now you can try and figure out if that really is a coincidence or not. He was meeting with FBI agents.

They are here at the airport as well. They've been talking to detainees, and they working with members of the Army CID and also the CIA have been working to gather intelligence, and the director believes their efforts have prevented other terrorists and attacks since September 11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Around the world the information that has been obtained from interrogations and al Qaeda members that who have been detained here in Afghanistan as well as information coming from documents found that Afghanistan, that information has prevented additional attacks against the United States and facilities around the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Just before coming on the air, we paid a visit with Charlie Company, the 101st Airborne. That is the company that is out there patrolling and guarding the parameter of this airport. They are essentially the front line here in Afghanistan of U.S. military forces. They are good to go, and they are prepared to do their job.

Tomorrow we're going to take you out to their position, bring it to you live. We'll spend the day and the night with them. They are about 450 yards away from where that gunfire came in about two weeks ago. We'll show you what it's like to be on Afghanistan's front line -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Marty, a question for you about John Walker. We've been allowed to see other detainees leave. Why did -- why did officials go to these extraordinary links when he went on board that plane to come to the United States?

SAVIDGE: Well again, we have had no official explanation as to why this sort of extraordinary game of hide and seek when it comes to John Walker. We do not believe it is because of security or that he is any sort of physical threat. We think it has more to do with the government's case and issues of legality, and that is the reason that they have been so careful here, trying not in any way for him to be seen.

They always say that detainees are not allowed to be seen, and we go along with that, but they have been enforcing that even more strongly in the case of John Walker. It appears to be the case against him. That is the reason they are being so careful not wanting to jeopardize it Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Martin Savidge reporting live for us from Kandahar, Afghanistan this morning. In the next half-hour we'll have a live report from Alexandria, Virginia where Walker will be held, and he'll appear in court there.

A government source tells CNN, more on John Walker now, he will likely appear in federal court this week.

As CNN's national correspondent Susan Candiotti reports, the appearance will prompt some questions.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI (voice over): Walker's first appearance at this courthouse in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, Virginia probably won't last long, but should prove intriguing.

For example, how will Walker look? How different from his grimy, disheveled appearance following his arrest? Will he look similar to this photo, taken after he converted to Islam?

During an exclusive interview with CNN after his capture, Walker called martyrdom in his words "the goal of every Muslim." JOHN WALKER: I tell you, to be honest, every single one of us, without any exaggeration, every single one of us was 100 percent sure that we would all be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all be martyred, but you know. Allah chooses to take a person's life when he chooses."

CANDIOTTI: Defense attorneys are expected to challenge every statement Walker's made without a lawyer present.

MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL NARDOTTI, U.S. ARMY: He could argue that the duress that his client was under over that extended period of time could make the situation one in which the statements that have been made by John Walker were not truly made voluntarily.

CANDIOTTI: In court, the judge will tell Walker what he's charged with, including conspiracy to kill Americans overseas, and providing material support to terrorists, that he could face life behind bars.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Our complaint, based on Walker's own words, is very clear. Terrorists did not compel John Walker Lindh to join them. John Walker Lindh chose terrorists.

CANDIOTTI: Walker will be asked if he has a lawyer. The legal team hired by his family has insisted Walker is represented. Will 20- year-old Walker agree?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If not the court will appoint an attorney. Walker's parents are trying to negotiate a meeting with their son as soon as possible after he touches U.S. soil. Under tough new Justice Department guidelines, that meeting could be monitored, the government listening to every word.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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