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CNN Sunday Morning

John Walker Being Held at Camp Rhino

Aired December 09, 2001 - 07:04   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: John Walker, the American who fought with the Taliban, will be handed over to civilian authorities as soon as possible, according to the Pentagon. Right now, Walker is being held at Camp Rhino, the U.S. Marine base in Afghanistan.

Reporter David Wright has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID WRIGHT, POOL REPORTER: John Walker Lindh is currently the only prisoner being held here at Camp Rhino. Marine officials won't say where exactly on the compound he's being held or what the conditions of his captivity are except to say that is technically classified as a battlefield detainee and he is being accorded the privileges that would be associated with an enemy prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention.

John Walker Lindh is, therefore getting meals. He's getting security and he's getting medical care if he needs it. Now, the question is, what becomes of John Walker Lindh. He is an American citizen who fought for the Taliban and that means that he could be subject either to American law or to international law under the Geneva Convention. It's a very complicated situation for the U.S. Marines here on the ground. They say it's being decided at much higher levels, the highest levels of the U.S. government in fact. And they say they hope to move him out of Camp Rhino just as soon as possible.

David Wright with the U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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