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Camp X-ray Out of Space, Prisoner Transfers Temporarily Halted

Aired January 23, 2002 - 12:20   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We are just getting word from our Bob Franken, who is keeping post for us at Guantanamo Bay out there by Camp X-ray of some new developments down there.

Bob is checking in right now -- Bob, what's the word?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is every time that the man who is in charge of the security here gives a briefing, he manages to make some news, and today was no exception. Just literally seconds ago he finished, and wanted to cover what he was talking about.

First of all, he does confirm that there is a temporary, temporary suspension of an unspecified duration, in the flights from Kandahar to here. Among the reasons he gave was the concern over doubling prisoners up in their cells. They've really run out of capacity. They have 150 -- 58, rather, who are the population at Camp X-ray, and they have 160 cells, although they expect to put 60 more on today.

He also reported that there was another incident overnight between one of the detainees and a guard. A prisoner, he said, spit on one of the guards. He was subdued, taken away, was properly calmed down, and using terms like he used, and then returned to his cell. Every once in a while there is a incident like that, as we've reported. There was a biting incident about a week ago.

Also, new information regarding interrogations. They have begun. This is something that, up until this point, had not actually occurred. General Leonard (ph) today said that they have begun, they are being conducted by a variety of investigative agencies, including the military agencies.

He went on to say that he would not discuss whether the FBI was involved, or any other (ph) organizations. He acknowledged no lawyers are present for these interrogations, saying, "we are seeking information, not prosecution at this time."

He was also quite open about his feelings about those who have been criticizing from afar, using terms like "torture." What he said was exactly was, interestingly they come to their conclusions when they far away, without any firsthand knowledge.

He also went on to say that there is a continuous discussion about changing some of the procedures, including the controversial ones, where some of the detainees -- all of the detainees have been brought over to this camp here, with goggles that prevent them from seeing anything, ear plugs, face masks, et cetera.

He said that those are under review, and put it exactly this way, "obviously, if we can accommodate the humanitarian issues, we will do so, but security is (ph) everything." So, as I said, the controversy continues over the human rights concerns, and as always, they make it clear that they are very well aware of that controversy -- Leon.

HARRIS: Excellent. Bob Franken, thank you very much. Bob Franken on Guantanamo Bay there, bringing us the latest developments and the confirmation about the suspension of flights there of detainees into Camp X-ray. We'll get back to Bob later on.

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