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U.S. Fears Riyadh Attack Not the End

Aired November 10, 2003 - 15:01   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: This is not the end. And with that, a high-ranking official at the U.S. State Department sums up the fears and precautions that are prevalent in the aftermath of this weekend's suicide attack in Riyadh. At least 17 are known dead, and more attacks, officials say, could be in the operational phase. Let's get the White House perspective from CNN senior White House correspondent John King.
Hello, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Miles. That is the concern here at the White House and across the Bush administration. Officials here and elsewhere in the government telling us that there is intelligence suggesting the possibility of more attacks in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the bombing over the weekend, of course.

The United States had closed its embassy in Riyadh before the bombing because it had picked up intelligence that an attack might be imminent. U.S. officials saying they are concerned there could be more attacks in the days ahead.

They also have offered any help that they can give the Saudis with the investigation. President Bush over the weekend called Crowned Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, offered him condolences and any assistance that could be possible.

The message basically from the administration is that, while they have no firm proof yet that this bombing in Riyadh has all of the hallmarks of an al Qaeda strike --al Qaeda's goal of course for some time has been to destabilize the Saudi royal family, in addition to trying to drive the United States out of the Middle East -- Bush administration officials saying they are still trying to collect information on this, they have no intelligence at all suggesting any strikes here in the United States, Miles. But, of course, this is a key concern to the White House and proof, the administration says, that the war against al Qaeda must continue.

Now, the president often says that most of the al Qaeda leadership has been disassembled. But administration officials also saying these attacks are proof that al Qaeda can strike when necessary. Still, as you put it, perhaps in operational mode here -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: John, what's the word on cooperation between U.S. and Saudi investigators in the wake of this Riyadh incident? KING: In the wake of this specific incident, too early to tell. Of course, it's on Saudi soil and not against an American target. so there's no direct role for the U.S. in the investigation, although U.S. officials say they certainly are interested in the findings and have offered help.

This has been a source of tension in the past. This administration says Saudi cooperation has improved immensely in recent months. But there have been several occasions when the FBI, for example, wanted to interview suspects in Saudi Arabia where there have been delays or refusals. Again, the administration says that is a thing of the past. We shall see as this investigation goes forward.

O'BRIEN: CNN's John King at the White House. Thank you very much.

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 November 10, 2003 - 15:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: This is not the end. And with that, a high-ranking official at the U.S. State Department sums up the fears and precautions that are prevalent in the aftermath of this weekend's suicide attack in Riyadh. At least 17 are known dead, and more attacks, officials say, could be in the operational phase. Let's get the White House perspective from CNN senior White House correspondent John King.
Hello, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Miles. That is the concern here at the White House and across the Bush administration. Officials here and elsewhere in the government telling us that there is intelligence suggesting the possibility of more attacks in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the bombing over the weekend, of course.

The United States had closed its embassy in Riyadh before the bombing because it had picked up intelligence that an attack might be imminent. U.S. officials saying they are concerned there could be more attacks in the days ahead.

They also have offered any help that they can give the Saudis with the investigation. President Bush over the weekend called Crowned Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, offered him condolences and any assistance that could be possible.

The message basically from the administration is that, while they have no firm proof yet that this bombing in Riyadh has all of the hallmarks of an al Qaeda strike --al Qaeda's goal of course for some time has been to destabilize the Saudi royal family, in addition to trying to drive the United States out of the Middle East -- Bush administration officials saying they are still trying to collect information on this, they have no intelligence at all suggesting any strikes here in the United States, Miles. But, of course, this is a key concern to the White House and proof, the administration says, that the war against al Qaeda must continue.

Now, the president often says that most of the al Qaeda leadership has been disassembled. But administration officials also saying these attacks are proof that al Qaeda can strike when necessary. Still, as you put it, perhaps in operational mode here -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: John, what's the word on cooperation between U.S. and Saudi investigators in the wake of this Riyadh incident? KING: In the wake of this specific incident, too early to tell. Of course, it's on Saudi soil and not against an American target. so there's no direct role for the U.S. in the investigation, although U.S. officials say they certainly are interested in the findings and have offered help.

This has been a source of tension in the past. This administration says Saudi cooperation has improved immensely in recent months. But there have been several occasions when the FBI, for example, wanted to interview suspects in Saudi Arabia where there have been delays or refusals. Again, the administration says that is a thing of the past. We shall see as this investigation goes forward.

O'BRIEN: CNN's John King at the White House. Thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com