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FBI looks for clues in embassy bomb residue
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| The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya | |
Pakistani suspect held in Kenya
In this story:
- Suspect questioned by FBI and Kenyans
- Albright flies to Africa
- Bomb vehicle reportedly identified
- Related stories and sites
Web posted at: 7:10 p.m. EDT (2310 GMT)
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- The FBI began analyzing samples of residue Monday from the rubble of the bomb attacks on two U.S. embassies in East Africa, as Kenyan and U.S. investigators confirmed they were questioning a suspect returned from Pakistan.
The FBI said its lab analysts had begun examining the evidence flown back from Africa during the weekend, but would not provide details.
Senior FBI lab officials said they hoped to develop information within a few days on the types of explosive used in the bombings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A senior official said truck parts, axles and other large debris from the bomb site would be transported to the lab later for analysis.
Those officials said last week that explosive residue from both bomb sites will be examined with highly sophisticated equipment in the Washington headquarters lab, following initial field screening by investigators at the crime scenes.
A U.S. official said last week that field tests suggested the presence of a Czech-made plastic explosive called Semtex that has been used by terrorist groups before.
Suspect questioned by FBI and Kenyans
"... Mohammed Saddiq Odeh, also known as Abdull Bast Awadh and Mohammad Sadiq Howaida, has been returned to Kenya by Pakistani authorities in the late evening of August 14, 1998," a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi said.
"Mr. Saddiq Odeh has not admitted any responsibility in the bombings in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, nor has he implicated anyone else in these events," the statement added.
Kenya's foreign minister said investigators are taking the suspect seriously and are probably being cautious.
"Investigators would want to protect the future of the investigations. I mean, you never know how much disclosure would actually prejudice tracking down other criminals, or further investigations," said Bonaya Godana.
At least 260 people were killed and more than 5,500 injured 10 days ago in the nearly simultaneous car bomb attacks on the embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the suspect had been arrested in Karachi on August 7 -- the day of the bombings -- after he arrived on a flight from Nairobi.
A Pakistani English-language daily, The News, reported that the man was headed for Afghanistan when he was detained. Press reports say he is a Palestinian engineer.
Previous reports in Pakistan said the suspect had confessed to planning the bombings and implicated his co-conspirators.
The News, quoting unnamed government sources, said Saddiq claimed the attack was sponsored by Osama bin Laden.
U.S. officials have identified bin Laden, an exiled Saudi hiding out in neighboring Afghanistan, as a possible suspect. Bin Laden has pledged a war on the United States from his headquarters in Afghanistan.
Albright flies to Africa
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright flew to Africa on Monday for a one-day visit to Kenya and Tanzania to show U.S. resolve in the face of terrorism.
"To America's embassy personnel in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, I will bring a message of solidarity in their sorrow, admiration for their courage and support for their continued efforts on behalf of our country," Albright said before leaving. "To the people of Kenya and Tanzania, I will bring a message of friendship, made deeper by our shared grief, and of support in doing all we can to ease their suffering and help them start anew."
Kenyan officials are expected to raise the issue of victim compensation and aid for reconstruction when Albright visits.
On Friday, when Albright set aside vacation plans for the hastily planned trip to East Africa, the State Department had lifted a warning against travel to Kenya, whose economy relies heavily on foreign visitors, to further ease any strain in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Also on Monday, Arlene Kirk, one of the 12 Americans killed in the bombing in Kenya was laid to rest in South Bend, Indiana.
"You made your mark and now you have gone home," said her husband, Robert Kirk. "And I bid you farewell.
Bomb vehicle reportedly identified
Also Monday, Newsweek magazine reported that investigators in Nairobi have found the steel drive shaft -- stamped with the vehicle identification number (VIN) -- from the truck believed to have carried the bomb there.
In past investigations, such as the World Trade Center bombing, the FBI has used VINs to help trace the bombers.
Over the weekend, the U.S. State Department, citing a "very serious threat" against U.S. facilities and citizens, ordered all nonessential embassy personnel and their families out of Pakistan.
The department also issued a travel warning advising U.S. citizens to avoid the country and said Americans now in Pakistan should consider leaving.
In addition to the specific warnings about travel and personnel in Pakistan, the State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for all Americans working or traveling overseas. The caution urged Americans to "remain alert to the changing situation and exercise extreme caution."
