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CNN Saturday Morning News
One of Buffalo Six Has Pleaded Guilty
Aired January 11, 2003 - 07:43 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: One of the so-called Buffalo Six accused of attending an al Qaeda training camp has pleaded guilty. As CNN's Susan Candiotti reports, he's now providing valuable information to authorities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In pleading guilty, gas station owner Faysal Galab reveals new details about what Osama bin Laden told the group of would-be terrorists at an al Qaeda training camp just a few months before the September 11 attacks.
WILLIAM HOCHUL, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY: He indicates that bin Laden said at an appearance at the camp that 50 men were in a position to attack America.
CANDIOTTI: But after coming home to the U.S., the six men didn't tell anyone what happened, claiming they were too afraid. The plea agreement also said co-defendant Sahim Alwan had a private meeting with bin Laden, in which bin Laden asked whether anyone in America is willing to follow the cause. The plea followed what are described as extensive negotiations with the government.
MICHAEL BATTLE, U.S. ATTORNEY: By entering this plea of guilty, the defendant, Faysal Galab, has admitted that he is a citizen of the United States, that he knowingly and willfully contributed funds and/or services for the benefit of a special designated terrorist; notably, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.
CANDIOTTI: The government has never said it ever had any evidence the men were planning an attack in the U.S. But in a bail hearing last month, a prosecutor told the court it might conclude the Buffalo Six was a sleeper cell waiting to carry out some future orders. In court, Galab told a trial judge he agreed with everything in the plea agreement.
JOSEPH LATONA, GALAB DEFENSE ATTORNEY: He has not admitted being a member of al Qaeda. He has not admitted planning or preparing or agreeing to engage in any act of terrorism whatsoever.
CANDIOTTI: Susan Candiotti, CNN, reporting.
(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
Aired January 11, 2003 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: One of the so-called Buffalo Six accused of attending an al Qaeda training camp has pleaded guilty. As CNN's Susan Candiotti reports, he's now providing valuable information to authorities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In pleading guilty, gas station owner Faysal Galab reveals new details about what Osama bin Laden told the group of would-be terrorists at an al Qaeda training camp just a few months before the September 11 attacks.
WILLIAM HOCHUL, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY: He indicates that bin Laden said at an appearance at the camp that 50 men were in a position to attack America.
CANDIOTTI: But after coming home to the U.S., the six men didn't tell anyone what happened, claiming they were too afraid. The plea agreement also said co-defendant Sahim Alwan had a private meeting with bin Laden, in which bin Laden asked whether anyone in America is willing to follow the cause. The plea followed what are described as extensive negotiations with the government.
MICHAEL BATTLE, U.S. ATTORNEY: By entering this plea of guilty, the defendant, Faysal Galab, has admitted that he is a citizen of the United States, that he knowingly and willfully contributed funds and/or services for the benefit of a special designated terrorist; notably, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.
CANDIOTTI: The government has never said it ever had any evidence the men were planning an attack in the U.S. But in a bail hearing last month, a prosecutor told the court it might conclude the Buffalo Six was a sleeper cell waiting to carry out some future orders. In court, Galab told a trial judge he agreed with everything in the plea agreement.
JOSEPH LATONA, GALAB DEFENSE ATTORNEY: He has not admitted being a member of al Qaeda. He has not admitted planning or preparing or agreeing to engage in any act of terrorism whatsoever.
CANDIOTTI: Susan Candiotti, CNN, reporting.
(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
