Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Peruvian Ambassador Discusses Investigation Into Mother and Child Killed in Drug War

Aired April 24, 2001 - 09:34   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The bodies of an American missionary and her infant daughter arrive back in the United States from Peru this morning. They were killed when, officials say, the Peruvian air force mistook their plane for a drug-smuggling flight.

As we hear now from reporter Molly Barrows (ph) of CNN affiliate WEAR, relatives are trying to come to terms with this tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOLLY BARROWS (ph), WEAR REPORTER (voice-over): John and Gloria Luttig cling to pictures of their 35-year-old daughter Roni. She died along with her seven-month-old daughter, Charity, when their plane was shot down in Peru.

GLORIA LUTTIG, VICTIM'S MOTHER: The bullet went through the plane and through Roni's back, through her heart. She was holding Charity like this, and it hit Charity and killed her instantly.

BARROWS (ph): The Luttigs say Jim and Roni lived on a houseboat along the Amazon and were making their way home from Columbia. They moved to Peru in '93, devoting their lives to missionary work.

JOHN LUTTIG, VICTIM'S FATHER: They just go up and down the Amazon and stop at all the little villages, regardless of how big or how small, and tell people about the Lord.

BARROWS (ph): The Luttigs now anxiously await the return of their son-in-law and grandson, believing one day they will also be reunited with Roni and Charity.

G. LUTTIG: If you know the Lord, he gives you peace. He gives you a peace that passes all understanding. You hurt -- you hurt hard -- but without Him, I don't know how we'd ever get through it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: That was Molly Barrows (ph) of affiliate WEAR -- Leon.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Peru has expressed regret over the accident.

Joining us from our Washington bureau is Peru's ambassador to the United States, Carlos Alzamora.

Sir, we thank you very much for talking with us about this very difficult topic.

Have you and your government come any closer to figuring out exactly what happened in this incident?

CARLOS ALZAMORA, PERUVIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: No. As you can imagine, the investigations are on now. From the very first moment, the Peruvian air force and the American Embassy in Lima have been talking and working in the spirit of the best cooperation. And I expect, any time now, official announcement about the organization of this investigative process.

HARRIS: Are you familiar with the remarks that we have seen in many reports by U.S. officials who have been involved in this program for some time, saying that Peruvian activities that they've seen in this particular incident have been repeated in the past -- that the Peruvian air force has jumped and has taken shortcuts through the protocols in making decisions about when to shoot these planes down?

ALZAMORA: Well, this is the first time that we have had this kind of incident in over almost 70 years. So far, we have worked rather well.

Perhaps the main conclusion of this investigation of this incident is the need to revise procedures in order so that, in the future, these operations, which have proven to be very effective in controlling drug traffic, could continue with the same effectiveness, but, at the same time, we might prevent the repetition of any tragedy like this one.

That, of course, is of concern. And the whole Peruvian nation, as you know, has presented to President Bush, Secretary Powell, the families of the victims, the and missionary associations our deepest regret and the sorrow of the whole nation.

HARRIS: Mr. Ambassador, you say there should be more discussion about protocols. As I understand it, there's a report in "The Washington Post" this morning that says an incident almost exactly like this one happened in 1997. It was not widely reported because, as it turned out in that case, there were drugs on the smaller plane. But there was extensive discussion of protocols both with high- and mid-level Peruvian officials and U.S. military officials after that incident. So what more discussion do you think needs to be taking place?

ALZAMORA: I think, to start, we need to know for sure what caused this incident and how to prevent its repetition, and as you realize, this is a rather confused and complicated incident, since it involves the presence of several planes, several systems in operation, and conflicting reports; therefore, until this investigation is over, we cannot make any conclusion and blame anybody for the responsibilities.

HARRIS: Have you seen the reports at all about whether or not the Peruvian fighter jet actually shot at the survivors of the crash when they crash landed their plane on ground?

ALZAMORA: I heard, yes. I have seen that report. I expect the official reports. So far, the Peruvian air force is maintaining that they followed all the proceedings of the rules of engagement, and therefore, they are sticking to that version.

HARRIS: Sir, as you are aware, the United States has suspended this operation. Can you give us an idea of what that is going to mean for drug trafficking? Does this mean drug traffickers now have a green light in your country?

ALZAMORA: Well, at least in that area, for the time being. As long as these flights are suspended, of course, they will have time of their lives. This is why I suppose that this will be a short time and that the operation will be resumed, because they have been proven so effective that 70 percent of the coca cultivation area has been reduced, as you well know.

So I think that we should take both most measures to keep the operations on and, at the same time, prevent any kinds of incidents of this nature.

HARRIS: Peruvian ambassador to the United States Carlos Alzamora, we thank you very much for your time and for your answering our questions this morning.

ALZAMORA: Thank you, sir.

HARRIS: 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