Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

U.S. Warns Iran Not to Hinder War Against al Qaeda

Aired January 12, 2002 - 09:20   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: This week President Bush warned Iran not to hinder the war against terrorism or try to destabilize Afghanistan's new government. An Iranian official called the U.S. warning, quote, "baseless."

CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A shipment of Iranian weapons bound for Palestinian territories. Another batch of Iranian weapons supplied to this Afghan warlord. The Bush administration's conclusion, Iran has opened at least two new fronts in an attempt to expand its sphere of influence.

The U.S. also believes Iran has allowed some al Qaeda fighters to seek refuge in Iran.

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I would prefer that countries not harbor terrorists, and that countries not provide haven for al Qaeda, and that they not support terrorist networks.

KOPPEL: Iran strongly denies it's permitting al Qaeda fighters to cross the border. But U.S. officials also say Iranian agents have crossed into western Afghanistan, smuggling weapons to support pro- Iranian warlord Ismail Kahn, looking to stir up trouble for the interim Afghan government, which Tehran fears is too pro-American.

On Thursday, President Bush put Iran on notice.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If they in any way, shape, or form try to destabilize the government, the coalition will be -- we'll deal with them, you know, in diplomatic ways initially.

KOPPEL: Following months of unprecedented cooperation, in which Iran facilitated the delivery of tons of American wheat to Afghanistan, these latest developments have diplomats and U.S. officials alike questioning the mixed signals.

But analysts say Iran's motive, at least with respect to the Palestinians, is clear, and reveals a troubling new trend. The massive shipment of Iranian weapons bound for the West Bank but intercepted by Israel last week contained close to five tons of explosives, including TNT and C-4, dozens of Katyusha rockets, and hundreds of armor-piercing antitank rockets.

MARTIN INDYK, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL: So it's a move of the Iranians from the Lebanese theater to the West Bank Gaza theater, to the heartland of the Arab-Israeli conflict, in a way that they haven't been able to operate before.

KOPPEL (on camera): For now, the U.S. strategy is to convince Iran its best interests lie in building better ties with the United States and working together to stabilize Afghanistan. But administration officials want there to be no doubt that if Iran isn't with the United States in the war against terrorism, then it could find itself a target.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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