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American Morning

Fresh Questions Over Bin Laden's Fate

Aired July 31, 2002 - 07:05   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is more speculation that Osama bin Laden might be dead. Several bin Laden bodyguards in U.S. custody, and apparently they have been in custody dating back to February. The U.S. military says there is not enough evidence, though, to know for sure.

For more on this, our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, tracking this story in Washington.

Kelli -- good morning.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, the men have been in custody at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for, like you said, about five months. Sources say some of them have served Osama bin Laden for years. Their capture has led some U.S. officials to conclude that their leader is dead.

Now, the thinking is, if some of the men responsible for bin Laden's safety were caught without him, well, he must have been killed. Now, that combined with the fact that bin Laden has not been seen or heard from in months seems to lend credence to that theory. But there is a definite split in thinking among top officials about bin Laden's fate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RICHARD SHELBY (R), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I don't think you could read anything in it conclusively. The fact that you might capture part of the king's bodyguard doesn't mean you've got the king; in this case, the same thing with Osama bin Laden.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Well, other officials are quick to point out there is still no body, or anyone saying that they witnessed his death. And it is quite possible that bin Laden is in hiding, patiently waiting to emerge when the next attack occurs.

Now, as for the detained bodyguards, they are not expected to know very much about al Qaeda plans, though they could provide information about bin Laden's movements. U.S. officials would not say whether they were cooperating.

Bill -- back to you.

HEMMER: Kelli Arena in Washington, thank you.

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