We have not run into dead ends, Bodine Says [Archives:2000/43/Front Page]
Reliable sources have told Yemen Times that suspects arrested in the USS Cole destroyer explosion incident on Sunday had been 60 persons; eight of whom are from the civil registry office in Lahj governorate. These eight were arrested after registration forms of some of the suspects were missing. Witnesses, reported to be Yemenis, were also arrested by the Yemeni security for interrogation.
In her Saturday press conference held in Aden Hotel, US Ambassador Bodine thanked the Yemeni side for being quite helpful in the rescue and investigations. They are continuing to find investigatory sites. They are still developing new leads., Ambassador Bodine told reporters. As regards the final investigations, she said We have not run into dead ends. It is still a long expanding investigations.
Last Friday there was a solemn military ceremonial day as US ambassador Bodine and Admiral Fitzgerald, deputy commander of of the Special Task Force (55) stationed in Bahrain, a group of US marines and some high-ranking Yemeni officials formed an honor guard for the last US sailor body from the USS Cole. He was taken back home aboard a military aircraft leaving for Germany and then to US for formal identification. Twelve of the bodies were already sent last week to US.
US President Clinton and Defense Secretary had threatened of a military strike on those who were behind the attack after investigations were over. Yemeni and American investigators are still going with the investigations to uncover all the threads of the incident. Outcome of final investigations are expected to be declared during this week. Reports also indicate that the ship will be carried from Aden back home at the end of this month.
The Yemeni side has achieved a remarkable progress in investigations about explosion in the USS Cole destroyer at Aden port on October 12, 2000. The Yemeni side briefed the American side on outcomes of preliminary investigations. A high level security source told YT that some bomb-making materials and tools, thought to be used to carry out the attack, were found in a small house located in al-Shaab city, 15 km away from Aden. Reports mention that it was a suicidal attack conducted by two persons. This was confirmed by President Saleh who in an interview with al-Jazira space channel indicated that the attackers had used a small explosive-laden boat.
An official source revealed that some documents were found in the house confirming that the house was used for preparing for the attack. A will, made by the attackers, was also found indicating that they sacrificed their lives for al-Aqsa mosque and its martyrs. They also indicated that they would keep on these operations against whoever supported Israel.
President Saleh has received FBI director Louis Freeh and informed him on investigation results so far achieved. On his part, Mr. Louis expressed his as well as the US government appreciation for all cooperation offered by the Yemeni security during the rescue and investigation phases. He also expressed US readiness represented by the FBI to provide technical help to detect all threads of the attack and the sources behind it, asserting the strong Yemeni-American relations and cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
There has been so far an American strong black-out on the size of destruction to the Cole which is said to have high-tech ability. This proves that the operation was carefully planned and that the point where the explosion took place was very crucial one. This is the first ever attack to target American warships in the sea in the Middle East, according to the American state department.
In a press conference by the US ambassador Bodine on 16.10.2000, deputy commander of Special Task Force for rapid intervention 55 indicated that the there was severe damage and fixing the electronic generator, pumping out water and carrying the ship to America would take two weeks.
Results of examining samples taken from the incident location have not been disclosed yet. It was also indicated that the explosives used did not exist in Yemen. In a press statement on 19.10.2000, Aden, FBI director expressed his satisfaction over the progress being made in investigations. He highly evaluated efforts of the Yemeni security to disclose mystery of the incident. He said that that was a complicated, critical case where very complicated material and high-tech detonation devices were used, therefore, it is very difficult now to accuse any party. He described the United states as a junior partner in a joint effort being led by Yemen.
American-Yemeni investigators headed Thursday towards Hadramout for further investigations. The Navy said Thursday that it had recovered the final four bodies trapped in the wreckage of the destroyer and that they would be sent back home.
Seven navy warships including aircraft carrier reached the region and anchored offshore Yemeni coasts carrying more than 2200 US soldiers. US Vice-President and Defense Secretary said that following investigations and identifying those who stood behind, US will conduct a military attack on them. These statements have offended the Yemeni government, which headed by the President Saleh, had condemned the attack on USS destroyer while refueling, and described it as an act of terrorism. He said It is not the result of 24 hours. Rather it was prepared long ago. Besides, it has the objective of undermining the Yemeni-American relations.
President Saleh has also condemned this terror act in an interview with the CNN. He also condemned all forms of terrorism asserting that the Yemeni security would track down all those behind it.
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