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CNN Saturday Morning News

Musharraf Vows to Rid Pakistan of Terrorists

Aired March 23, 2002 - 07:11   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Another INS slip-up. The Justice Department says the INS, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, allowed four Pakistani men into the U.S. last week without following procedures implemented after September 11. State and federal agents are searching for the men. However, federal authorities say they have no information to indicate any of the four are linked to terrorism.

The INS commissioner, James Ziglar, vows to crack down on lax employees.

In Pakistan today, President Pervez Musharraf said he would use all possible means to rid the country of terrorists. President Musharraf said a successful crackdown, however, would require an overhaul of the government's secret agencies. His speech follows last week's deadly church bombing in Islamabad. Washington has ordered nonessential embassy personnel and the families of diplomats to leave Pakistan for their own safety.

Here is CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Immediately following Sunday's grenade attack that killed five people, including an American employee of the embassy and her teenage daughter, the U.S. encouraged its diplomats in Pakistan to send their families home.

But then, following a series of credible threats against Americans, the option became an order.

PHILIP REKER, DEPUTY STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: We believe that the war against terrorism in Pakistan is far from over, and that we will be able to carry it on with greater focus if our dependents are not present at U.S. facilities.

KOPPEL: The U.S. also extended its words of caution to other Americans still in Pakistan.

REKER: They should maintain a strong security posture, be aware of their surroundings, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile. KOPPEL: The ordered departure came on the same day 11 suspects, including suspected mastermind Ahmed Omar Sayeed Sheikh, were charged with the recent kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, a coincidence, officials say. But what they do not dispute is that Pearl's brutal murder last month and Sunday's cold-blooded attack are chilling examples of a new campaign by Islamic extremists to target American citizens in Pakistan.

(on camera): And while evacuating Americans from Pakistan isn't exactly a vote of confidence in Pakistan's president, Secretary of State Powell tried to smooth things over in a phone call with this close U.S. ally, telling Musharraf the U.S. and Pakistan are on the same side.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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