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American Morning

America's New War: Nabil Almarabh, Man with Possible bin Laden Ties, Picked up Outside Chicago

Aired September 20, 2001 - 10:22   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We are now going to turn our attention from rescue to response. For the latest on what the military is doing, as well as the Coast Guard, to prepare and protect in the face of possible war, we go live to CNN's Martin Savidge, who is aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Campbell in the New York Harbor.

This is quite a change of mission for this ship, isn't it?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it as change of mission, Paula, but it is not a mission that they are unprepared for. We are on board, as you say, the 270-foot U.S. Coast Guard cutter Campbell. It located at the mouth of the New York Harbor. And there are quite a few vessels out here, for the reason that New York harbor could be looked upon as a potential target for terrorism in light of the attack that was launched on the World Trade Center.

So that's why the Coast Guard is here, and the role that they have is a very important one. We will take you inside the bridge here to give you a look. We also want to have the opportunity to talk to the man who is the on-scene commander for the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has a very specific role. Captain Eric Brown is the man who is the on-scene commander.

Good morning to you, sir.

CMDR. ERIC BROWN, U.S. COAST GUARD: Good morning, sir.

SAVIDGE: Explain to us, specially, How does it work, as far as commercial vessels trying to get into New York City?

BROWN: The commercial vessels coming in need to call in 24 hours in advance. They need to be inspected. Every vessel coming into the harbor, without exception, commercial vessels being expected. Marine inspectors, experts with marine safety, are on board with law enforcement, tactical law enforcement teams that have come into the area. They are checking the security, the safety. Marine inspectors are making sure that the manifest, the documents, the people that are supposed to be on that vessel are actually on that vessel.

SAVIDGE: Captain, thank you very much.

Paula, we should point out there have in fact been some vessels that were turned away because they didn't have the proper documentation or the crews did not have the proper documents. In some cases, they were diverted to other ports. In other cases, those vessels headed tout sea there. There was a small boat exercise conducted from here. We can show you a picture of that. In the meantime, also tell you about some of the other assets from the Coast Guard that are here. In addition to smaller boats, you have the coastal patrol boats, the 87-footers, the 110-foot boats.

As you get farther inland in the waterways, or the riverways, along lower Manhattan, you will have some of what are called the Coast Guard raiders, smaller boats, like Boston Whalers. They are heavily armed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. It's a mission they train for. They say they are ready, willing to make it last as long as necessary -- Paula.

ZAHN: Martin, I know you say they are prepared for the tasks, and yet these guys are usually enforcing fishing regulations off the New England coast. How long do they expect to be in the position they are in now?

SAVIDGE: You know, Paula, there is a lot of interference inside the bridge here, so I'm afraid I can't hear you are question.

ZAHN: No need to apologize. Maybe it wasn't that good of a question after all, Martin. We will check in with you later this morning.

Let's go back it Washington, where Eileen O'Connor is standing by with some news on the investigative front.

Eileen, good morning. What do you have?

EILEEN O'CONNOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

We have been calling sources, and Kelli Arena's sources tell her that the FBI has confirmed in fact that Nabil Almarabh, who was wanted by the FBI and was wanted in fact for failing to show up for a warrant for his arrest in Boston for a stabbing incidents and accusations against him in Canada, and had been evading arrest by the authorities, he has been picked up outside of Chicago. Now this is a major break, because Almarabh has direct links to a man who is currently on trial in Jordan who has known links to Osama bin Laden. So this would be a major break for the police if they can get him to cooperate and talk about the network emanating from bin Laden. It would allow the president to be able to vindicate, or to answer any questions by people who might say that we don't have the proof. This would allow authorities to give concrete proof to connections to Osama bin Laden, even as the U.S. military prepares to takes action -- Paula.

ZAHN: But realistically, do investigators expect this man to cooperate?

O'CONNOR: I don't think so. This is a man who has been on the run for quite some time. And in fact, he even tried to get over to the -- he came from Canada, where he was wanted already. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police were searching for him, and he ended up trying to get a Michigan driver's license. In addition, they raided the home where they felt he was staying, in Detroit, picked up three people there with false identification. They do not believe now, sources say, that those people were linked to the attack. Here can you see a picture of Nabil Almarabh. And again, it does not look like he would cooperate, but perhaps they could force the issue.

There have been associates of bin Laden picked up before who have in fact cooperated in past cases. For instance, in the Embassy bombing trial. Also in the case of the bombing of the World Trade Center against that case against Ramsay Josef (ph). So it's possible, but I wouldn't call it probable. I'm sure investigators would say that they are very hopeful -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Eileen, thanks so much for that update.

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