Iraq Has Offered US Extradition of WTC Bomb Suspect Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit [Try to ignore the disengenuous "surprise" of Leslie Stahl that anyone would think the CIA might be using Abdul Rahman Yasin's presence in Iraq as a provocation for war. At least CBS broadcast the interview.--NY Transfer] IRAQ HAS OFFERED USA EXTRADITION OF WTC BOMBING SUSPECT source - Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory EastWest Record http://www.eastwestrecord.com Exclusive Interview: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz: U.S. Rejects Yasin by EastWest Record Following is the transcript of the interview CBS 60 Minutes reporter Lesley Stahl conducted with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz [broadcast June 2, 2002] on the motivations behind Iraq's offer to hand over Abdul Rahman Yasin (the only terrorist not to be brought to trial for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center) and American refusal to receive him. Two offers were made by Iraq during the Clinton Administration in 1994 and later to the Bush Administration in 0ctober 2001. The latter offer was done through a third party, later revealed by CBS 60 Minutes to be Egypt via the CIA. EastWest Record has obtained this transcript form its sources in Iraq. The transcript has been edited for clarity and length. * Aziz: Twice we asked them [the U.S.] to come and take him and twice [in 1994 and most recently in October 2001] they refused. Which means that they are not sincere in what they are saying, they are not honest in what they are saying. We informed the American Government that we have important information about that event [1993 bombing of the World Trade Center]. If you are interested, send a team to Baghdad to get that information. They did not reply at all. Stahl: But your information was vague. Aziz: Yes but we showed out goodwill. Stahl: But would you really expect them to respond to that? Aziz: First of all I have to tell you that we feared that sending Yasin back to Iraq after arresting him and interrogating him was a sting operation. Stahl: You... You thought that the Americans were trying to sting you by sending... Aziz: Yes, to tell people later on. Look this man that participated in that event in now in Iraq. As they are doing now using many false pretexts, you see, to hurt Iraq in their own way. Stahl: To suggest that Iraq was involved in the bombing? Aziz: Yes. Yes. Stahl: You... You were very suspicious that he was some kind of plant? Aziz: We have the right to be suspicious of the American intentions. Stahl: How did you get that word [a more specific offer in October 2001] to the Americans? Aziz: Through two parties; two governments. I am not going to mention names because they asked us not to mention their names. But the Americans know. [The third party] told the Americans that Yasin is in Iraq and that the Iraqi authorities are ready to deliver him to the American authorities if the American government sends a team to Baghdad. The American government said, no, we are not going to send a team to Baghdad but we are ready to receive him in the capital of that government. Stahl: Of this third country? Aziz: We said, ok, we will take the man to the capital of that country and deliver him to the American authorities. But, they should sign a paper that they have received Yasin from the Iraqi authorities in the presence of the third party. They refused to sign the paper and therefore the delivery did not go through. Stahl: And why did you insist on that? Aziz: Because in every delivery there should be a proof. Stahl: Like a FedEx package... Aziz: That's it. Stahl: If the third party signed the paper, if the third party said we handed it over, it's not good enough? Aziz: Ms. Stahl, if they are interested in Yasin, signing the paper is not the most important matter for them. For us, it is important. Why didn't they take him? Why did they refuse to sign that paper? Stahl: You think that they would take him and not admit that you had willingly handed him over? Aziz: Yes and make a false story about it. Stahl: They're [the Bush Administration] are concerned that if they agree to any deal, that you'll want to have a dialogue and a negotiation. And they remember what happened when the inspectors came and you said that the inspectors could go where they want and they couldn't go where they wanted. Aziz: What's wrong in dialogues, Ms. Stahl? In every international crisis, all over history, people used to talk to each other. Enemies talk to each other, even when you were at war with Vietnam and you talked to the Vietnamese. Stahl: But if this is what you hope to gain from your offer to turn over Mr. Yasin... Aziz: I am not ashamed of that. Stahl: But that is true... Aziz: We did what we think is correct to do. Stahl: You what to strike a deal by handing over Yasin to the Americans? Aziz: These are fantasies, you see. We wanted to show our goodwill to the American people first. Look, we talked to the third party, to the friendly third party. We did not put political dialogue as a condition. Stahl: Is that deal still on the table? Aziz: Yes, it is. Stahl: It's an open invitation? Aziz: Yes, it is. Stahl: So, tomorrow, they could say fine. Aziz: ok, let them come and take him [Abdul Rahman Yasin] the same way that we suggested to them last October. Stahl: All you want is a signature. A piece of paper that says that we [the U.S.] have taken Yasin. Aziz: Yes... Because this is the professional way to do it. Stahl: And that's all you want? Nothing else. Aziz: Nothing else... nothing else. * Publisher: Samia Baalbaki Editor: Jareer Elass (c) 2002 East West Record. 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