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CNN Live At Daybreak

Powell Says U.S. Will Not Negotiate With Pearl Kidnappers

Aired February 01, 2002 - 05:29   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: And now we want to talk more about Daniel Pearl, the kidnapped American reporter.

We go to CNN's Ben Wedeman, who is live in Karachi, Pakistan -- Ben, what's the latest from there?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, as you mentioned, that extent, that deadline has been extended by one day, as that was in the e-mail sent by this organization, this group that is holding Mr. Pearl that's called the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty.

They say, however, if their demands are not met, they will go ahead with their threat to kill Mr. Pearl.

Now, there are unconfirmed reports that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has questioned one Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Gilani. He is the head of a hard-line Islamic organization. Mr. Pearl was on his way to meet Mr. Gilani the day he was kidnapped. That was the 23rd of January.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has been in touch with the Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf. Mr. Powell says that the U.S. will not negotiate with the kidnappers, that it cannot and will not even consider the demands that they are making. But they are doing, the U.S. is doing all it can to win his release -- back to you, Carol.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

Ben Wedeman reporting live for us from Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan this morning.

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