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CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

Target: Terrorism - Investigation into Russian Plane Crash Continues

Aired October 5, 2001 - 05:13   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: We begin now with the plane, though. Investigators are gathering evidence in the Russian plane that crashed into the Black Sea yesterday. The captain of a ship taking part in the recovery mission says that pieces of the pilot's cabin appear to have three bullet holes. However, Russian officials are urging extreme caution at drawing any conclusions until an investigation is complete.

Here is CNN's Jill Dougherty.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the Siberian town where the plane was headed, Novosibirsk, relatives of the passengers tried to comprehend the news.

The weekly Russian charter flight, bringing family and friends from Tel Aviv, exploded and plunged into the Black Sea apparently killing all aboard.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Sibir Airlines regretfully confirms that our flight, 1812, disappeared from the radar screen at 13:45.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I just heard about it right now. Somebody cried, and I asked what happened. I'm meeting my wife. I've been waiting for her since 4:00 p.m.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): My father was on the plane. He's been living in Israel for three years. We visited him last year and decided to invite him here. He had to come from Tel Aviv today.

DOUGHERTY: As Russian's Ministry of Emergency Situations plots the site of the crash, search-and-rescue crews moved into the area of the Black Sea where the Tupelov 154 plane went down.

From sources in Washington, reports that a Ukrainian missile, fired during military exercises, might have hit the plane.

At a news conference with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Russian president cast doubt on that theory. VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): According to the information from our Ukrainian partners, at that time they had, indeed, been conducting military exercise in the adjacent area. However, all the relevant services were informed about that in advance.

Secondly, the weapon system used in the course of those exercises have too short a range to reach the place where the Tupelov 154 was flying.

DOUGHERTY: Investigators have been sent to the site of the crash hoping to find any shred of evidence.

(on camera): Russia has been bracing for potential retaliation for its support of the international coalition against terrorism. But President Putin says it is premature to make any judgments about what caused this crash until the investigation is complete.

Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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