SECTION: News; Domestic
LENGTH: 884 words
HEADLINE: Interview With John Loftus
GUESTS: John Loftus
BYLINE: John Gibson, Todd Connor

BODY: GIBSON: We've been talking about Sami al-Arian. And one of the driving forces behind unmasking al-Arian is former federal prosecutor John Loftus, living in Florida. Loftus filed a civil suit against the professor, claiming he laundered money for terrorists. John Loftus now joins us from Pittsburgh.

So, I guess, John, as you look back over all you've done and what O'Reilly has done, everybody's -- quite a few of you have been after al- Arian.

JOHN LOFTUS, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Steve Emerson.

GIBSON: Right. What do you think about what the Justice Department finally came up with in indicting him and three others today?

LOFTUS: Well, it puts an end to the longest running terrorist case in America. This guy was known about since 1989. But for years, no one could touch him because he got most of his money from the Saudis, and the Saudis were our friends. Well, all those old rules changed after 9/11. So, I'm glad to see that a year after I filed a complaint, that the federal government has filed a parallel complaint with criminal charges against Sami al-Arian.

GIBSON: Well, are they the same charges? Basically what Ashcroft is saying today is that Sami al-Arian, while a professor at the University of South Florida, and on the government payroll, essentially, at least the state of Florida, acted as the auditor, I guess the chief financial officer, for this terrorist group. Did you know it was that extensive?

LOFTUS: Yes. I said he was number two in the world in my amended complaint, that he was on a shira council. He narrowly lost the vote to his fellow professor, Professor Shallah to became the world head of Islamic jihad. Wouldn't that be a great thing to have on your resume -- the head of the worst organization in the world for recruiting suicide bombers to kill children?

GIBSON: Can you tie Sami al-Arian to certain deaths by suicide bombers?

LOFTUS: Oh, sure. A letter in his own handwriting, Sami bragged about an operation that took place two weeks earlier, in which 17 Israelis were killed and two mujahideen had died.

GIBSON: We just lost John Loftus who was joining us from Pittsburgh. John, of course, is a former federal prosecutor who filed a civil lawsuit against Sami al-Arian, along with Bill O'Reilly, got this investigation into high gear.

Meantime, Saddam Hussein says he doesn't want war. But he's not doing much to convince U.N. inspectors that he wants peace. In fact, it appears that weekend peace demonstrations around the world have given Saddam Hussein reason to, get this, not cooperate. And the Russians are backing him up. Fox News correspondent Todd Connor live in Amman, Jordan. Hi, Todd.

TODD CONNOR, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, John. Put out or get out, the inspectors are being told as they continue their search for weapons of mass destruction. At least that's what Russia's foreign minister believes, and he says that must stop.

Igor Ivanov says he has information that the inspectors are coming under very strong pressure to provoke them to leave Iraq prematurely, or to present a report the Security Council could use as a pretext for war. Now, though he didn't name names, there is little doubt that his comments are being directed toward the U.S. Russia's foreign minister said the inspectors should continue their work professionally and objectively. And the international community must offer political support and not pressure the inspectors.

Meanwhile, the U.N. inspectors, we couldn't reach them for a comment, but chief inspector Hans Blix is preparing an in-depth report to present to the Security Council late next week. The "Washington Post" reporting U.N. officials in Baghdad are less than thrilled about Iraq's cooperation, saying since last Friday's report to the Security Council, quote, "We have not seen any positive moves on the part of Iraq."

Well, President Saddam Hussein has issued a decree that bans all weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But the U.S. is characterized that as really not significant at all. And, though, Iraq has promised to push scientists to cooperate with weapons inspectors in private interviews, very few have done so. And in trying to show improved cooperation, Iraq has also recently given its approval to U-2 surveillance flights saying one took place again today. That would make number two.

But the White House says the value of these flights is diminished because Iraq is asking for a 48-hour notice. Now the U.N. also saying later today that Iraq has issued a list of people it says were involved in the destruction of its biological weapons and missile programs. The U.N. has requested that list, saying Iraq has not been able to provide any documentation that those weapons were destroyed.

So, they really need to interview these people. And, as you said, yes, Iraq feeling a little bit better, thinking that they have the world's support because of all these recent demonstrations calling for no war, just peace -- John, that's it from here.

GIBSON: Todd Connor live in Amman, Jordan. Great story, Todd. Are worldwide anti-war demonstrators emboldening Saddam Hussein to stop or slow down his cooperation with the weapons inspectors? We're going to continue with the THE BIG STORY right after this break. Quickly. We'll be right back. Stay with us.

Return to John's Media Appearances Section