02 April 2002
Pakistan Captures Man Believed to Be Key Al-Qaida Terrorist
(White House says "significant blow" dealt to al-Qaida) (300)
The White House says Pakistani authorities, supported by U.S.
officers, have captured a man believed to be Abu Zubaydah, a key
terrorist recruiter, an operational planner, and a member of Usama bin
Laden's inner circle.
A statement released by the Office of the White House Press Secretary
in Washington April 2 said the suspected terrorist was captured in the
Pakistani city of Faisalabad March 28 along with dozens of Pakistani
and Arab militants.
"This represents a very significant blow to Al-Qaida," the statement
said.
Following is the text of the White House statement:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary April 2, 2002
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
We believe that one of the individuals captured by Pakistani
authorities in recent raids is Abu Zubaydah, who is a key terrorist
recruiter, an operational planner, and a member of Usama bin Laden's
inner circle.
Pakistani officials led a series of raids into suspect extremist
hideouts in the early morning hours of March 28th. This individual was
captured in one of the raids in the town of Faisalabad, along with
dozens of Arab and Pakistani militants.
US officers supported this operation, but the raids were both led and
carried out by Pakistani authorities.
The individual we believe to be Abu Zubaydah was found at one of the
locations originally targeted in the Pakistani raids. He was shot
several times as he attempted to escape the raided compound.
He is currently receiving medical attention. For security reasons, we
are not going to discuss his location. He will be interrogated about
his knowledge of ongoing plans to conduct terrorist activities.
This represents a very significant blow to Al-Qaida.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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