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CNN SHOWDOWN: IRAQ
War in Iraq Likely to Produce Terrorism
Aired March 13, 2003 - 12:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Followers of Osama bin Laden, meanwhile, and other potential terrorists may reconsider their call to arms if the U.S. attacks the Muslim nature of Iraq. Our Justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, is joining us now live, and she has more -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, that's right. We do expect that there may be some retaliatory efforts against Americans here at home or abroad if the U.S. does indeed strike Iraq, and that seems to be the sentiment not only here in the United States, but overseas intelligence tells us that as well.
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ARENA (voice-over): A U.S. assault on Iraq could serve as a signal for terror cells to attack, according to U.S. counterterrorism officials. In fact, those experts say there is at least a 75 percent chance of an attack against Americans at home or abroad if there is a war.
JOHN PARACHINI, TERRORISM ANALYST: I think if hostilities are initiated with Iraq, I think it is highly likely that there will be an increased number of terrorist events around the world.
ARENA: Because of the government's fear of Iraqi-sponsored terrorism, sources say there are a number of Iraqi nationals and former intelligence officials in the U.S. who are under 24/7 surveillance. That number is a small percentage of the 100 or so people in the U.S. who are being constantly watched, suspected of some involvement with al Qaeda or other terror groups.
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: It's clear to me that terrorism seizes opportunities and they'll strike us any time they feel like they have the capacity of striking us.
ARENA: Despite the arrest of senior al Qaeda operative Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, officials say the group still poses a serious threat. Recent audiotaped statements believed to be from Osama bin Laden are a stark reminder of al Qaeda's resolve.
OSAMA BIN LADEN (through translator): We also emphasize the importance of martyrdom operations, as has been the case in America and in Israel.
ARENA: Investigators say recently gathered evidence suggests al Qaeda still has a strong interest in hitting apartment buildings, hotels, and bridges. Officials also say airlines remain a possible target, along with ports of entry, symbolic structures, and the nation's infrastructure, specifically power and communications grids, and water systems.
JOHN PISTOLE, FBI COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL: I believe that we in the U.S. will be hit with another terrorist attack. Whether it's a spectacular attack like 9/11, I hope and pray not, but I think it is something that we will experience, whether it's a suicide bomber, strapping explosives going on the subway, or somebody taking a carload of explosives...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: Now, those smaller attacks are often carried out by lone extremists. They are not only hard to predict, but officials say they are nearly impossible to prevent -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Could we just assume if there's a war they are going to raise the threat -- the terror threat level?
ARENA: That's the assumption that officials that we have been speaking to are making. Of course, you know that it is the decision of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, and that is made on a daily basis. We could see it go to orange before then, but the general consensus seems to be that if the U.S. does strike Iraq, that it will go up to orange because they say that there is, as you heard, at least a 75 chance -- 75 percent chance of some sort of retaliatory action. Although right now, the intelligence is pointing more to an overseas attack than it is to a domestic attack, but as every intelligence official I've talked to has underscored, Kelli, the intelligence was pointing overseas right before 9/11 as well.
BLITZER: And this fear of the Arab street, individual Arabs perhaps being so outraged by what the U.S. is doing that that could spark additional terrorism?
ARENA: Absolutely. We have seen, as you know, protests in places such as Pakistan. We also have heard from scholars at the very influential Al-Azhar University in Cairo saying, If the U.S. attacks Iraq, that is an attack against all Muslims, and they are urging jihad to their students. And this is a very mainstream university, Wolf. So we are hearing -- it is beyond what we've heard from Osama bin Laden, you're hearing this from scholars, from influential leaders, from people in mosques saying, Look, this is an attack against all Muslims. The U.S., this time, is the aggressor. And so therefore, we need to raise our arms up against the United States.
BLITZER: Kelli Arena. Good reporting. Thanks very much.
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