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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Embassy Terrorism Plot Thwarted By Arrests

Aired February 25, 2002 - 06:15   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: Italian authorities say a potential attack against the U.S. Embassy in Rome was thwarted by the arrest of a group of Moroccans.

As CNN Rome Bureau Chief Alessio Vinci reports, the plot focused on underground tunnels.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF(voice-over): Evidence that the embassy may have been the target of a terrorist threat, the discovery a hole carved into an underground passageway near the embassy building. The U.S. State Department in Washington says, "We were informed about the existence of a hole. We are investigating it." Italian investigators and security officials here refused to comment on the ongoing investigation. But the Italian media, quoting unnamed sources, say an attack against the U.S. Embassy here might have been days, if not just hours away.

Last week, Italian police raided this apartment in a Rome suburb, finding maps of the city's underground water system and another map with the location of the U.S. Embassy circled. A large quantity of a cyanide compound was also found. The substance, while not as toxic as pure cyanide, can produce deadly fumes if mixed with hot acid.

The raid resulted in the arrest of four Moroccan nationals. Another five were arrested by the end of the week. There is no proof the nine suspected terrorists are linked to the whole family of the embassy. But after five hours of interrogation, the investigative judge charged the man with subversive association.

Defense lawyers deny the suspects are involved in a plot to attack the embassy, saying the substance found in the apartment did not belong to their clients. Security around the U.S. Embassy is tight and police are on high alert. A security meeting between Italian and U.S. Embassy officials is expected to place Monday morning.

Alessio Vinci, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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