CNN American Morning Transcript

CNN

SHOW: AMERICAN MORNING

HEADLINE: Interview With Senator Susan Collins of Maine

GUESTS: Susan Collins

BYLINE: Bill Hemmer

HIGHLIGHT: Saudi Arabia's alleged ties to terrorism is a hot topic this week in Washington.

BODY:
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Saudi Arabia's alleged ties to terrorism, a hot topic this week in Washington. First, the Saudi foreign minister's appeal to declassify that 9/11 report fell on deaf ears at the White House. Then yesterday, a Senate hearing focused on funding for several Muslim charities closely linked to the Saudi royal family, those groups reportedly cited in the classified pages of that report.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine, chairwoman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, is here with us to talk about this topic in-depth, live in D.C.

Good morning, Senator. How are you today?

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS ®, MAINE: Good morning.

HEMMER: I want to put up on our screen for our viewers at least four of these charities that were talked about yesterday—you can see them there: The Muslim World League, The World Assembly of Muslim Youth, The International Islamic Relief Organization. All four groups deny any links to terrorism back in the kingdom. Do you see evidence as of yesterday that suggests otherwise?

COLLINS: Yes, I do. I think the evidence is strong and compelling that those organizations, two of them in particular, have been used not only for charitable legitimate work, but also as conduits to funnel money to terrorist groups. We also know that those charities that were on the screen have close ties to high-level Saudi officials.

HEMMER: So, then what are you going to do about it? What can you do about it?

COLLINS: What I believe we should be doing is listing those charitable organizations and others against whom there is a strong case on the terrorists financing lists. The result of that is that we can freeze bank accounts and block the ability of these organizations to transfer money to terrorist groups.

HEMMER: Back in 1999, back in the year 2000, former Vice President Al Gore met with Saudi officials, said knock it off then; otherwise, you're going to pay the price of some severe sanctions. Whatever happened to those threats?

COLLINS: Well, this is a problem that goes back many years. We have a complicated relationship with the Saudis, and I think that diplomatic and other concerns are often trumping law enforcement concerns. But from my perspective, if we're serious about fighting the war against terrorism, we have to do everything we can to curtail the flow of funds to terrorist organizations.

HEMMER: So that takes me back, Senator, to the original question then. If you're pushing the Saudis to go ahead and give you this cooperation, if they're not obeying what you're asking them to do, there is no net gain in this, is there? We're back to the original point yet again that we have no control, yourself as a senator, to inflict these punishments against the Saudis to get them to change their ways, correct?

COLLINS: Actually, there is a lot that we can do. If we list these organizations on the terrorist financing list, then that triggers some economic sanctions. It triggers the freezing of bank accounts and international banks. It makes it much more difficult for those organizations to transfer money around the world, so it does have an effect. And most other countries around the world honor the restrictions and economic sanctions that are placed when a company or a charitable group or an individual is included on this list.

HEMMER: All right, quickly, another topic. David Kay was on Capitol Hill yesterday, the chief weapons inspector working on behalf of the U.S. government, trying to cull together all of this information said to be miles and miles and miles worth in various cities throughout the country of Iraq. He talked in somewhat cryptic language yesterday with reporters afterwards, saying the American people should expect some surprises. Why the cryptic talk? Why not just come out and tell everybody what they have or have not found at this point?

COLLINS: Dr. Kay wants to make very sure that he has all of his ducks in a row, that he has the test results back from various samples. He's a very thorough, careful expert. I have complete confidence in him. He's changed the whole approach for going after these weapons to focus more on human sources, and I think he is exactly the person to get the job done.

HEMMER: And when will he come back and brief you again on further progress?

COLLINS: He's going to continue to keep us informed. I'm not sure when his next trip back to the United States is going to be. I first met him when I was in Baghdad. And we've really changed our approach in the search, and he's the reason why. I think we have exactly the right person in charge.

HEMMER: Senator, thanks for your time. Susan Collins in D.C., thank you.

COLLINS: Thank you.