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CNN Live At Daybreak

Pakistan Pinpoints Believed Ringleader in Pearl Kidnapping

Aired February 08, 2002 - 05:07   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: "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl has been missing for 15 days now in Pakistan and police now acknowledge their search for his kidnappers has slowed.

CNN's Ben Wedeman joins us live from Karachi with an update -- Ben, anything new?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, in fact we spoke to the police and other sources close to the investigation. They are now increasingly confident that the ordeal of "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl may soon be coming to an end. The reason for that confidence is that they have now pinpointed the man they believe to be the ringleader, the leader of the kidnappers. That is one Sheikh Omar Saeed.

Now, Mr. Saeed spent five years in Indian jails after, beginning in 1994. This was after he was involved in the kidnapping of several British and American tourists. He was released five years later as part of a deal to end the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. He left India. His whereabouts after that were not altogether clear.

But it is known, according to intelligence sources at least, that he did send $100,000 to Mohamed Atta, the man largely responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11.

Now, the police are basically saying it's only a matter of time before they release Mr. Pearl. Apparently they have taken into custody members of Sheikh Omar Saeed's family as a bargaining chip, so to speak. According to one source close to the investigation, they believe the pressure is now building up on the ringleader of the kidnappers to release Mr. Pearl and let him go.

So after some pessimism yesterday, there seems to be renewed optimism today -- Carol.

COSTELLO: That's good to hear. Thank you.

Ben Wedeman reporting live for us from Pakistan this morning.

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