Reply #14: CNN: Transcript of original report that Rabia's body was missing

[IndianaGreen]

CNN has posted the transcript on their website. Nguyen is the CNN anchor, Bokhari is the correspondent in Islamabad, Pakistan:

CNN SATURDAY MORNING NEWS

Aired December 3, 2005 - 10:00 ET

BOKHARI: Well, you see -- I mean, his name has figured only very recently. I mean, it was really a shock when we heard about that kind of an al Qaeda operative living in that part of Waziristan where the Pakistan army has conducted several raids and the area was consistently being monitored.

Another interesting thing that I would like to share with you is that the body has not been claimed. The authorities have categorically stated that the body has been misplaced or has been taken away by the sympathizer of al Qaeda. So this is also very interesting point, that without having the body of the gentleman, the confirmation is given by the highest authority of this country.

NGUYEN: Salim, hold on just a second. Let's recap this. The body is missing. This Abu Hamza Rabia, the al Qaeda leader there on the ground, what is being called -- the man who's being called a big fish is missing?

BOKHARI: Yes, I'm very -- categorically speaking that so far the authorities are saying that they could not claim the body of Hamza Rabia.

NGUYEN: What proof do you have that he's missing? How do you know?

BOKHARI: Well, you see, there is no clear version from the authorities so far, but it's expected that in another two or three, they will certainly confirm it again that the person who got killed in that blast or that -- whatever that missile attack is Hamza Rabia. That is what they are insisting, that that is Hamza Rabia was one of them who was killed.

NGUYEN: All right. Also, there are others killed in this. Are we learning now that they too are al Qaeda members? Because earlier it was told us to by the interior minister that these were locals.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/03/smn.03.html