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                                                                     EXHIBIT A-1

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
                           PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350
                (SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)

    I, John P. Saldarelli, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (principal
financial officer) of American Property Investors, Inc., the General Partner of
American Real Estate Partners, L.P. (the 'Registrant'), certifies that to the
best of my knowledge, based upon a review of the American Real Estate Partners,
L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002 of the
Registrant (the 'Report'):

        (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of
    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

        (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
    material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
    Registrant.

                                                 /s/ JOHN P. SALDARELLI
                                           .....................................
                                                 NAME: JOHN P. SALDARELLI
                                                 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Date: August 14, 2002