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American Morning
Deadly Train Blast
Aired December 05, 2003 - 08:35 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in Russia believe a suicide bomber is to blame for a deadly blast on a commuter train. An explosion ripped through the train in southern Russia this morning, killing at least 37 people, injuring close to 200. The blast took place near the border with Chechnya, where rebels have been battling Russian forces for more than a decade. For more on this, we're going to be joined from the Russian capital by Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty.
Good morning, Jill.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Anderson.
The news now coming out from the FSB, that's the Federal Security Service, says that there were terrorists involved, four of them, one man, three women. They say that at least two of the women jumped off the train right before that explosion happened. The man apparently was the one who was actually carrying the explosives. And they found part of his body. They believe he had grenades strapped to him. And he also may have had something like a suitcase carrying the explosives that actually carried out this devastation inside that train. It happened just as people were going to work about 8:00 a.m., between two towns in the south of Russia, very near Chechnya. President Putin weighed in. He met with his security people, and he said that the timing of this is linked to the parliamentary elections that are going to be taking place this Sunday.
Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The crime today is without doubt an attempt to destabilize the situation on the eve of parliamentary elections. I am certain that they will achieve nothing. The people of Russia will not allow it. International terrorism that threw down the gauntlet to many countries of the world remains a serious threat for our country, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY: So there was fear that something like this could happen, some type of terrorist act. But up until now, the subject of Chechnya and terrorism really wasn't part of this election. And you'd have to say now, that there is a lot of anger in Moscow, and a lot of concern. They have to handle this right, because after all, the person who is in charge of this investigation is the interior minister. He is the head of the party that supports president Vladimir Putin -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Jill Dougherty live in Moscow. Thanks very much, Jill.
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 December 5, 2003 - 08:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in Russia believe a suicide bomber is to blame for a deadly blast on a commuter train. An explosion ripped through the train in southern Russia this morning, killing at least 37 people, injuring close to 200. The blast took place near the border with Chechnya, where rebels have been battling Russian forces for more than a decade. For more on this, we're going to be joined from the Russian capital by Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty.
Good morning, Jill.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Anderson.
The news now coming out from the FSB, that's the Federal Security Service, says that there were terrorists involved, four of them, one man, three women. They say that at least two of the women jumped off the train right before that explosion happened. The man apparently was the one who was actually carrying the explosives. And they found part of his body. They believe he had grenades strapped to him. And he also may have had something like a suitcase carrying the explosives that actually carried out this devastation inside that train. It happened just as people were going to work about 8:00 a.m., between two towns in the south of Russia, very near Chechnya. President Putin weighed in. He met with his security people, and he said that the timing of this is linked to the parliamentary elections that are going to be taking place this Sunday.
Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The crime today is without doubt an attempt to destabilize the situation on the eve of parliamentary elections. I am certain that they will achieve nothing. The people of Russia will not allow it. International terrorism that threw down the gauntlet to many countries of the world remains a serious threat for our country, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY: So there was fear that something like this could happen, some type of terrorist act. But up until now, the subject of Chechnya and terrorism really wasn't part of this election. And you'd have to say now, that there is a lot of anger in Moscow, and a lot of concern. They have to handle this right, because after all, the person who is in charge of this investigation is the interior minister. He is the head of the party that supports president Vladimir Putin -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Jill Dougherty live in Moscow. Thanks very much, Jill.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
