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CNN Saturday Morning News

Authorities Search for Pearl's Killers

Aired February 23, 2002 - 08:05   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: First on CNN, the search for Daniel Pearl's killers. Pakistani officials say they know who they are and all they've got to do now is track them down. Today's "New York Times" is reporting the Pearl kidnapping was part of a wider plot to bomb the U.S. consulate in Karachi. The paper also says Pearl was killed in late January, not long after he was abducted.

We have two reporters working this story for us this morning, CNN's Chris Burns in Karachi, Major Garrett at the White House -- Chris, let's start with you.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the investigation is focusing on the grim search for Daniel Pearl's body. So far, of course, they have not found it, but the authorities say that in their latest statement all the field units of the Sind police say in this province have been directed to look for the dead body of Mr. Pearl. The investigating teams are also coordinating with agencies to assist in this.

Further efforts to arrest the identified accused have been redoubled. So the government says that they have redoubled their efforts.

However, there is also condemnation and criticism from an Islamic leader, who says he does condemn the death of Daniel Pearl but he also criticizes the government. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The killing of Daniel is a multi-dimensional issue and as far as the killing is concerned, we are sad about that and condemn it like anything. It is a failure of our interior ministry because we don't have any law and order in this society and it's a lawless society.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNS: He's also, his party is also under fire or has been under pressure from the government, his, the head of the party has been jailed for making statements against the government of General Pervez Musharraf. The investigation does, of course, also focus on trying to find more suspects. The U.S. ambassador to Pakistan defends the government here in its efforts to track them down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WENDY CHAMBERLAIN, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN: I'm quite confident that this government at the, from a top to the bottom has the political will, and we're seeing that. We're seeing that in results. We're seeing that in people who are being apprehended and brought to justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNS: As far as the "New York Times" report goes, we have checked with our sources. They will go so far as to say that Sheikh Omar Saeed, who is the key suspect who's believed, is behind bars and he is believed to be the ringleader behind this, has told investigators that he did intend on harming American interests. That was his primary goal, according to a police source speaking to CNN.

So that does seem to confirm that he did, he had other efforts in mind. However, as far as a wider plot connected with the Pearl kidnapping, that has yet to be proven -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Live in Karachi, Chris Burns. Thank you so much.

Now over to the White House, where Major Garrett is standing by. A lot of people, Major, wanting to know about extradition and if these alleged killers will be brought to the U.S. for trial.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kyra, and there's considerable conversation at the highest levels between the United States government and the Pakistani government. And yesterday it was supported here at the White House, several sources telling CNN that the Pakistani government, now that Daniel Pearl has been confirmed to be dead, are more open to the idea of extraditing to the United States for trial any of those thought to have been involved in either his kidnapping or subsequent murder.

And this case itself, Kyra, has, as the White House has tried to digest it, not only is it a tragic crime, but they also are beginning to wonder if it's not a turning point, at least a small turning point in the sense that it now exposes some of the very more difficult aspects of the war on terrorism. That is, even if the United States military and its coalition partners are successful in dismembering or defeating a terrorist network like al Qaeda, smaller, lesser known terrorist groups who might not be as well organized still could carry off a terrible crime, as they did in this Daniel Pearl case. That's uppermost on the minds of the United States government.

And in that regard, there's a new policy being formulated to put any kidnapping of any American, whether it's a government official or private citizen, to the highest levels of the United States government and put all the resources, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, in the hands of the government to try to deal with any potential kidnapping cases. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher talked about that new policy at the State Department briefing yesterday.

Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: The circumstances in which Mr. Pearl found himself and his subsequent death make absolutely clear why this new policy, why the policy for the United States has to be to look into every hostage taking situation, to deal seriously with every hostage situation, to mobilize every appropriate means to resolve these situations and to make sure that there's no benefit from the taking of hostages so that there's no encouragement to others to take hostages in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARRETT: Now, one of the key phrases there, Kyra, was no benefit to hostage takers. But as this new policy has been formulated, the U.S. government has been less than absolutely clear as to whether or not it would condone private groups providing some sort of financial means by which to obtain the release of an American kidnapped. The official State Department position is that it is opposed to any sort of ransom, certainly opposed to the government providing any ransom and officially opposed to ransom paid by private companies or private individuals.

But it has said it will leave its options open under various circumstances. That has led rise to speculation in some quarters here in Washington that the administration might turn its head and say well, if you want to, a private organization or a private individual, if you want to put some ransom on the table and maybe it leads to the kidnappers, perhaps the United States government would not object too much.

The current chairman of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Bob Graham of Florida, a Democrat, was interviewed for the CNN program "Novak, Hunt and Shields," which will appears later today, said he is concerned that this, in fact, might encourage more kidnappings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BOB GRAHAM (D), FLORIDA: While this tragic situation is one in which we wish there had been some way to have saved Mr. Pearl, we would be putting more journalists and more Americans of all types of backgrounds at risk if it were known that we would negotiate and pay for the release of kidnapped persons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARRETT: So the key here, Kyra, is the U.S. government knows that kidnappings are possibly more likely now as it continues to combat the war on terrorism. It's trying to deal with that reality as best it can -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: That's a pretty scary thought, Major. Well, we're going to ask you to stick around. We're going to switch gears and have you take questions and e-mails, phone calls about the Enron situation, Major. So we'll see you back here in a little bit, OK?

GARRETT: Very good. Very good. I'll be there. PHILLIPS: Thanks so much.

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