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American Morning

Taliban American John Walker Beginning Journey Back to United States

Aired January 22, 2002 - 08:04   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: Up front this morning, the Taliban American, John Walker, is beginning the journey back to the United States. He has been on an American ship in the Arabian Sea, and eventually, he'll find his way to Virginia, where he faces trial in a federal court, charged with aiding and abetting terrorists.

Let's get the very latest now from CNN's Martin Savidge, who has an update for us this morning, of course, evening in Kandahar time -- good morning, Martin.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Paula.

The official word from the U.S. Army, which is now in control of the Kandahar Airport here, is no comment. Nothing. Zip. They are not saying a word about the issue of American Taliban, John Walker. They say that they have been specifically ordered not to say anything about his whereabouts now, about when he may be transported to the United States, about whether he is coming through the Kandahar Airport here, whether he has even been through the airport here. They are simply saying that they are following the lead of the Pentagon on this particular matter. Like good officers, they will wait for the Pentagon to reveal the whereabouts of John Walker, and after that, they may be willing to issue a statement.

It is possible that John Walker could be going through this facility, and we would not be aware of it. It's a large base here. John Walker is a single individual. He may not get all of the attention that the other detainees have, and it would be simple to bring him in by a helicopter off a ship and transport him onto a C-130 or perhaps even a C-17, although that seems unlikely for a long haul back to the United States. He may go to some place in Europe and then be transferred.

Right now, no word. Nobody is saying anything here about him -- Paula.

ZAHN: Oh, but, Martin, we know through our Pentagon sources here stateside that we are getting confirmation of such, so we'll see when you get the information over there. Would you fill us in on the service that held today in honor of some of the Marines killed in Afghanistan?

SAVIDGE: This was a memorial service, and a very emotional memorial service that was held here at the Kandahar Airport today. It was a service for the two U.S. Marines that were killed as part of that helicopter crash that went down on Sunday in northern Afghanistan. This is the second memorial service to be held at this particular airport in the last 10 days; the one previous for the seven Marines that died in the crash of the KC-130.

There were about 100 members of U.S. personnel that were there, members of the Marines; also, members of the International Coalition. It was a very, very emotional ceremony. You listen to Father Joe there, he was talking about the connection between the loss of life in this country and the loss of life back in the United States September 11. There were squadron members from the helicopter unit that were there. Many of them found it very difficult to hold their emotions in check. They realize the Operation Enduring Freedom has a high price, and the Marines have paid -- Paula.

ZAHN: A very high price indeed. Martin Savidge, thanks so much for that update. We will continue to check in with you throughout the morning.

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