USS Cole Investigation: Yemeni Authorities Tightening Security Around Hotel Where U.S. Investigators are Staying
FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the investigation into the attack on the USS Cole two weeks ago. Yemeni authorities are tightening security around the hotel where U.S. investigators are staying, following a bomb threat there. And some of the investigators are coming back to the States, but may be replaced by other agents. Attorney General Janet Reno says authorities are being vigilante, but cannot provide 100 percent security.</s>JANET RENO, ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think it is important that we take every possible step that's realistic and feasible to secure the safety of all our forces. But this is a situation where you cannot control the instincts of everyone in every circumstance at every time.</s>SESNO: For more on the Cole investigation, we're joined by CNN senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers. He is in Aden, Yemen. Walt, good to see you. Walt, what is the very latest on the investigation itself?</s>WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Frank, at this point, the latest in the investigation is that we believe that the investigation still remains in early stages. There are over 2800 people who have been detained by the Yemeni police. These are people who may have been neighbors of the people who planned the attack. They may even have been the grocery man who delivered groceries to them. Most of those 2800 have been released. But the police here in Yemen are now trying to develop a profile of those who might have helped them to see if there are cells here in Yemen who helped the men who attacked the Cole. I should say that the speculation among politicians in this country, and this is speculation, is they are saying it's Osama bin Laden because he is the only man who had the resources, the finances, the wherewithal to put this together. It took at least $30,000 to do it: to buy a car, to buy a boat, to buy a trailer, to rent houses and so forth. The speculation, as I say, points in the direction of the Saudi financier, who is wanted in connection with two U.S. embassy bombings in Africa earlier. The president if this country, Ali Abdullah Saleh, says, however, that an Egyptian was involved -- Frank.</s>SESNO: Walter Rodgers, in Aden, Yemen, thanks.