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American Morning

International Eyes Are Focused on How U.S. is Treating What Others Are Calling War Criminals

Aired January 22, 2002 - 08:07   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: Back to the detainees being held in Camp X-ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. International eyes are focused on how the U.S. is treating what others are calling war criminals, and to some, it's not a pretty sight. British newspapers are expressing outrage over the hooded and shackled captives, calling their treatment horrific, and in some cases, even torture.

Now, this morning, a total of 158 detainees from Afghanistan are being housed at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, named GTMO. That is exactly where we find CNN's Bob Franken. He joins us now on the telephone this morning -- Bob, good morning. What is the latest from there?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you just mentioned that there are now 158 here; 14 more arrived on the plane yesterday. They were all on stretchers. That's going to be the emphasis now. There is going to be a steady influx of those people who have significant medical conditions, who will be brought here for treatment. And then the incarceration that is causing such an uproar around the world.

And we really got a bigger feel for it. CNN was able to go and shoot the first video at night, and it's remarkable video. Camp X-ray at night is as well lit up as it is during the day. They have the flood lights there that make it look like a football field or a soccer field. At all times, the inmates, the detainees, whatever you want to call them, are in public view. They are in the view of their security people as they pace around their 8 x 8 foot cages, in the words of some people. It has gotten even more (UNINTELLIGIBLE) than that. The lights keep the place brightly lit at night, and of course, the sun does during the day, as people can look in in the chain fences that are the walls of those cells.

Also, we were able to see -- and this is the first time this has been able to be videotaped -- the processing of some of those who have just been brought in. It is a very, very thorough process. At times, they are even put down onto a tile, so they can be x-rayed and examined and be given a shower, et cetera, et cetera. It's a very vigorous process. It was really quite remarkable to see it, and it happens at night, because the planes usually arrive in the afternoon.

The International Red Cross is at the camp. We have been able to witness some of the representatives actually talking to the detainees. Two of them are going to stay, we are told by the security officials here, who are trying to fend off all of the criticism about the humane or inhumane treatment that has been alleged around the world. They say there is an explanation for each and every bit of the incidents, for instance, that photograph that has been so prominent. It is one that they say occurred right after the people had been brought in from plane, where in fact they are flown over with black-out goggles and face masks on. But the debate goes on -- Paula.

ZAHN: It does indeed, and in earnest here back in the States. Thanks so much, Bob Franken, for that live report. We look forward to your special later this evening.

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