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Sniper on Loose: Al Qaeda Connection?
Aired October 17, 2002 - 12:03 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Investigators, meanwhile, are leaving no stone unturned in the search for the killer, and that includes the possibility -- possibility that terrorists may be involved.
Our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, is following that part of the story -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, investigators do plan on questioning al Qaeda detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and elsewhere to see if any of them have any information about the sniper attacks.
Now, it's very important to underscore that officials insist there is no evidence linking al Qaeda or any terrorist group to the shootings, but as one official put it, questioning the detainees makes perfect investigative sense.
Now, as we have discussed in the past, Wolf, officials say that there are several facts which would tend to cancel terrorism out. First, no group has claimed responsibility, and second, al Qaeda terrorists do not leave tarot cards behind, especially ones with the words, "I am God."
But even so, they're not closing the door, Wolf, and as you said, leaving no stone unturned.
Back to you.
BLITZER: Indeed, the Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, the other day, he made a point to say he couldn't rule it out, although most experts are tending -- tending to discount it.
There is one school of thought. I spoke with a former FBI official only last night who suggested to me, he said, you know, we're dealing with 20th century mindsets right now. This is 21st century terrorism. As a result, he says, we don't know what al Qaeda or other sympathizers may be up to.
That's probably the reason, Kelli, why they want to not leaving any stone unturned right now.
ARENA: That's right. And the way it was described to me was that, obviously, we've been getting a lot of information from detainees about past plans or discussions that were had among -- within the al Qaeda organization as to different modes and methods. And so, you know, go back to the table, say, hey, had there ever been any discussion about, you know, snipers either as a mode of attack or as a precursor to something else, and just see what, if anything, they might be able to get from that avenue of investigation.
BLITZER: Our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena. She'll have much more throughout the day on this potential search for terrorists, if, in fact, it is a terrorist situation. Most experts thinking that it is not the situation, but they're not prepared at this point to rule it out either.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired October 17, 2002 - 12:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Investigators, meanwhile, are leaving no stone unturned in the search for the killer, and that includes the possibility -- possibility that terrorists may be involved.
Our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, is following that part of the story -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, investigators do plan on questioning al Qaeda detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and elsewhere to see if any of them have any information about the sniper attacks.
Now, it's very important to underscore that officials insist there is no evidence linking al Qaeda or any terrorist group to the shootings, but as one official put it, questioning the detainees makes perfect investigative sense.
Now, as we have discussed in the past, Wolf, officials say that there are several facts which would tend to cancel terrorism out. First, no group has claimed responsibility, and second, al Qaeda terrorists do not leave tarot cards behind, especially ones with the words, "I am God."
But even so, they're not closing the door, Wolf, and as you said, leaving no stone unturned.
Back to you.
BLITZER: Indeed, the Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, the other day, he made a point to say he couldn't rule it out, although most experts are tending -- tending to discount it.
There is one school of thought. I spoke with a former FBI official only last night who suggested to me, he said, you know, we're dealing with 20th century mindsets right now. This is 21st century terrorism. As a result, he says, we don't know what al Qaeda or other sympathizers may be up to.
That's probably the reason, Kelli, why they want to not leaving any stone unturned right now.
ARENA: That's right. And the way it was described to me was that, obviously, we've been getting a lot of information from detainees about past plans or discussions that were had among -- within the al Qaeda organization as to different modes and methods. And so, you know, go back to the table, say, hey, had there ever been any discussion about, you know, snipers either as a mode of attack or as a precursor to something else, and just see what, if anything, they might be able to get from that avenue of investigation.
BLITZER: Our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena. She'll have much more throughout the day on this potential search for terrorists, if, in fact, it is a terrorist situation. Most experts thinking that it is not the situation, but they're not prepared at this point to rule it out either.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
