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CNN Live At Daybreak

Daniel Pearl's Editor, Wife Make Appeals to Kidnappers

Aired January 31, 2002 - 05:02   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: That Pakistani group holding Daniel Pearl is now threatening other American journalists.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is in Karachi with more -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, that e-mail containing the 24-hour ultimatum in which this group, the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty said that they would kill Daniel Pearl if their demands were not met, that e-mail was received about 15 hours ago. It's 3:00 p.m. here.

Now, we have just received a statement, a response from Paul Steiger. He is the managing editor of the "Wall Street Journal" and this statement was sent, or we assume it was sent to the kidnappers themselves in one means or another.

Now I will read it to you.

He says that, "I hope that the message I have conveyed to you have convinced you that no good of any kind will result from your execution of Danny Pearl. I also hope that you have heard the heartfelt appeals made by his pregnant wife. She stated that in order for different cultures to understand one another, there must be dialogue. She has tried to help you understand that as a journalist in Pakistan, Danny can serve to promote useful dialogue so that we can better understand one another."

It goes on, "In this life," says Mr. Steiger, "there are things that we can change and things that we cannot. Neither Danny nor I can change the actions of governments. What we can change is the understanding of each other's cultures and perspectives. We can improve that understanding. Your messages contain language that reflects your unhappiness with the American government's misunderstanding of your views. This is clearly very important to you. I believe that Danny can truly play a positive role in helping bridge that gap of misunderstanding.

I propose that you view Danny as a messenger. I recommend that you provide Danny a detailed list of the issues and grievances that are important to you. I further recommend that you carefully explain your ideas and beliefs so that he fully understands them and can articulate them to others. With this information, Danny can appear before the world when released and can provide your group with the unique and unprecedented opportunity to tell the entire world your point of view. There could be no better way to have your beliefs and your concerns listened to throughout the globe.

I hope that you will give this proposal very serious consideration. Killing Danny will achieve nothing for you. His murder would be condemned by the entire world and your group would be viewed as murderers without serious political objectives. Only through Danny's safe release can your group have the opportunity to tell your side of the story and to have the entire world focus on your words. You have a story to tell. My paper can cover that story and Danny can tell that story better than anyone else. Danny's safe release is a small price to pay for you to realize this goal."

Signed, Paul Steiger, managing editor.

That statement just in.

Now, earlier last night, we spoke with his wife, Marianne, a French journalist. She is six months pregnant and she stressed the importance of dialogue between the West and people here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIANNE PEARL, DANIEL PEARL'S WIFE: If they don't allow people that, you know, who take the risk, who are willing to go and create the dialogue, we are the last ones to be held hostage or to be, you know, suffering from that because we are the ones who try to create that dialogue, right? And so I mean that's what I would tell him.

And also tell him that, you know, I trust that they can understand it because since I've been in Pakistan we have been able to create that dialogue. It's a dialogue that existed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEDEMAN: And, Carol, we've learned today that the Pakistani authorities have taken into custody three men apparently traced to some of the cell phones that have been used in this event. That in addition to yesterday one Mubarak Ali Gilani, who's the head of a group called the Jamaat-al Fuqra, the Group of the Poor. He gave himself up yesterday. Mr. Pearl was on his way to interview this Mr. Gilani before -- the day he was kidnapped -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And he has denied any involvement in the kidnapping, right?

WEDEMAN: That is correct. In fact, we are hoping to get a statement from him within the next hour or so. It's worth mentioning that he did give himself up. He was not arrested. And therefore it appears he may be cooperating with the Pakistani authorities, who at this moment are still saying nothing regarding any progress in this case -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ben, the kidnappers have now threatened other journalists working in Pakistan. Has that made journalists any more cautious about the way they do things?

WEDEMAN: Clearly, it has. They have, in their e-mail yesterday they gave journalists three days to leave the country or else they would say we would be in, journalists would be in harm's way. We are taking precautions. We're being more careful. But it's worth noting that basically for months now those of us who have been working in the region, in Pakistan, in Afghanistan, have been functioning in a very difficult, often dangerous environment. But certainly when such a specific threat has been made against journalists, we are taking many extra precautions -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And I won't ask you what those are because we don't want those to get out.

Thank you very much for reporting live for us this morning and you be careful there. See you a little bit later.

Former heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali is appealing for Daniel Pearl's release. Ali, a long time Muslim, released this statement aimed at the reporter's abductors.

He says, "Daniel is a professional journalist. His job is to give a voice to those who wish to be heard by the world community. Daniel should not become another victim of the ongoing conflict. I appeal to you to show Daniel Pearl compassion and kindness. Treat him as you would wish all Muslims to be treated by others. Give hope and belief that Allah will guide us through these difficult times. It is my most sincere prayer that Daniel Pearl be permitted to return safely to his family. May Allah have mercy on us all."

That plea coming from Muhammad Ali this morning.

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