Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Is Al Qanoon Connected to al Qaeda?

Aired June 15, 2002 - 09:31   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: Authorities are not sure if a deadly car bomb at the U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, was the work of a suicide bomber or set off by remote control. A previously unknown militant called Al Qanoon has claimed responsibility for that blast that killed 10 people and wounded dozens of others.

The group warned that the attack was just a preview of more to come.

In Washington, the State Department suspects Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network had a hand in yesterday's attack, president, or people -- President Bush describes, rather, as "radical killers."

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is with the president in Crawford, tell us -- or Crawford, Texas -- boy, I'm having a hard time talking this morning, Kelly, sorry, lot on my mind.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It's (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Kyra, understand.

PHILLIPS: I wanted to ask you this, Al Qanoon, any word yet if this is any connection to al Qaeda, or is this a copycat kind of extremist rogue type of group? What's the White House saying about that?

WALLACE: U.S. officials, Kyra, really know nothing about this group. They have not heard of this group before. They're trying to determine if it has any credibility, if it is truly connected to this attack, and also the big key question, whether al Qaeda is connected to the attack.

And the reason U.S. officials suspect it could be, two reasons, number one, the size of that bomb yesterday in Karachi, the sophistication of the attack, and number two, because it closely resembles an attack just a couple of weeks ago in Karachi, a bombing of a bus, also Westerners targeted, 14 people killed in that attack, including 11 nationals.

Now, as for President Bush, he is spending the weekend at his ranch not too far from here, a few miles away. He of course will be keeping tabs on the situation as U.S. investigators are heading to Karachi, some already there, to determine exactly who is responsible for this. Also a big decision over the weekend, currently the embassy in Islamabad and consulates throughout Pakistan are closed. A decision must be made this weekend about whether they will reopen on Monday morning.

The president, though, talking very tough. During a stop in Houston, he had very strong words. He said that these are cold- blooded killers, and he said the U.S. will not be intimidated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These people, these terrorists, these killers have hijacked a noble religion. But he world is seeing what they're made out of, what they're like. They do not value individual life. And for the good of freedom and for the good of America and our allies and friends, we're going to hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Another big issue for the president, how to move the Israelis and the Palestinians forward on a path to peace. President Bush, of course, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He and his advisers have been meeting over the past several weeks with Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab leaders.

We are told the president's proposals for a way forward could come as early as this week. Kyra, the big issue for the president, though, trying to find a way to develop a plan that all sides will agree with, because the Israelis have made it very clear they don't believe there should be political discussion until the Palestinian violence comes to an end.

The president, though, facing pressure from Arab and Palestinian leaders who want a timeline for the creation of a Palestinian state. So we -- the word from the White House is, when the president has something to say, we will hear it -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, and we'll bring it to you live, everyone that's watching. Kelly Wallace from Crawford, Texas, thanks, Kelly.

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