Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Six North African Men Remain In Custody In London

Aired January 08, 2003 - 07:15   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: From London now, six men under arrest today after traces of the deadly poison, ricin, were discovered inside of an apartment in London. The biological agent has been linked to al Qaeda and linked to Iraq in the past.
And Nic Robertson today in London with more on this discovery.

Nic -- what more do we know today?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Bill, we're getting more information from European intelligence sources here, telling us that the six were, in fact, Algerians. Up to now, the British police have only said that they were of North African origin.

We're also being told that they had only been in Britain for about three months. The men between the ages of teenage years and early 30s.

Also, the intelligence sources telling us, say that they cannot rule out that people affiliated with these six men currently under arrest may have done reconnaissance missions to Great Britain to the London area.

And perhaps another very significant piece of information we're getting from these intelligence sources today, Bill, that it was French intelligence services that tipped off the British intelligence services here that led to the raid by antiterrorist police over the weekend. That's new information.

British police and authorities here are very concerned that some trace amounts of ricin may have been produced in this north London house, and that some of it may still be out there on the streets with others belonging to the same organization. No information however of whether or not this group -- what sort of group these men may be affiliated with -- Bill.

HEMMER: Nic Robertson in London -- thanks, Nic.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.






Aired January 8, 2003 - 07:15   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From London now, six men under arrest today after traces of the deadly poison, ricin, were discovered inside of an apartment in London. The biological agent has been linked to al Qaeda and linked to Iraq in the past.
And Nic Robertson today in London with more on this discovery.

Nic -- what more do we know today?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Bill, we're getting more information from European intelligence sources here, telling us that the six were, in fact, Algerians. Up to now, the British police have only said that they were of North African origin.

We're also being told that they had only been in Britain for about three months. The men between the ages of teenage years and early 30s.

Also, the intelligence sources telling us, say that they cannot rule out that people affiliated with these six men currently under arrest may have done reconnaissance missions to Great Britain to the London area.

And perhaps another very significant piece of information we're getting from these intelligence sources today, Bill, that it was French intelligence services that tipped off the British intelligence services here that led to the raid by antiterrorist police over the weekend. That's new information.

British police and authorities here are very concerned that some trace amounts of ricin may have been produced in this north London house, and that some of it may still be out there on the streets with others belonging to the same organization. No information however of whether or not this group -- what sort of group these men may be affiliated with -- Bill.

HEMMER: Nic Robertson in London -- thanks, Nic.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.