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CNN Sunday Morning

Reservists to be Part of Security Team in Cuba

Aired February 03, 2002 - 11:12   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: We want to turn now our attention to Guantanamo Bay, where more than 100 Afghan detainees are being held. About 120 marine reservists from Texas will become part of the security team at Camp X-Ray. The reservists will spend some time in training before heading for Guantanamo Bay. CNN National Correspondent Bob Franken has more on what's next at Camp X-Ray.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The five times a day prayers are now part of a routine for the 158 detainees. The number has stayed at 158 for two weeks. Prisoner flights from Afghanistan were suspended. But now, one of the impediments has been removed.

COLONEL TERRY CARRICO, CAMP X-RAY WARDEN: This morning, as a matter of fact, back over to my left, the unit block over there by the tent, we just finished Camp X-Ray, but we have 320 units that are available.

FRANKEN: All they will say here is the prisoner flights will resume sometime. It's not just a question of room. Now officials admit that during all the controversy over treatment of the detainees, there have been high-level talks between Washington and other governments about the issue.

BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHAEL LEHNERT, TASK FORCE HEAD: I think it's safe to say that we intend to resume flights, and in terms of the exact timing of that, those decisions are made several pay grades above mine.

FRANKEN: Another fact, the interrogations or attempted interrogations of each detainee in these sheds. Officials say they wanted to be well along in their questioning of the prisoners, but acknowledged they have quite a few of the present ones left. They like to say that the detention center here is a work in progress. They've even planned for a hurricane.

CARRICO: Any of the things that we would use would be empty ammunition bunkers. They're underground. They're very secure, and we could put detainees or our security personnel, or our family members in those and other hurricane proof shelters.

FRANKEN: But officials here say that most of the planning is security planning, to control the very dangerous inmates.

(on camera): They bring in media from many countries to try and sell their message to the world that the treatment is as humane as it can be. Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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