السفير ريتشاردوني في برنامج مباشر من القاهرة - قناة النيل للأخبار -

TRANSLATION
Live from Cairo
Nile News
September 11, 2007

Six years have passed since 9/11 during which time many changes have occurred in the world and the Middle East. State policies changed and the U.S. launched the so-called war on terror. Has the U.S. achieved the desired results of this war? Do the American people feel safer after this war or have they become imprisoned in their country? We directed many questions at HE U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone in Cairo.

Announcer: Good Evening.

The Ambassador: Good evening.

Announcer: As we say in Egypt these days “Happy Ramadan.”
The Ambassador: Ramadan Karim to you all.

Announcer: Your Excellency, six years have passed since 9/11 and certainly everyone sympathized with the American people in this human catastrophe in which innocent people were harmed. However, after the U.S. enacted a number of measures within the so-called war on terror, what is the outcome?

The Ambassador: Let me ask you about the outcome of terrorism itself. I believe terrorism gravely harmed not only us in the U.S., but also the entire world, especially Egypt and the Arab world, and in Manila, where I was posted before, as well as Europe and Turkey and all parts of the world. There have been terrible results for all of us. Who is responsible for this? I believe it was a very small minority that misused Islam. This is a crime against humanity, because Islam is historically known, even in the West, as a religion that promotes love and tolerance. I believe the primary outcome of this terrorism was harmful to Muslims and Arabs, and all of us as brothers and sisters. The question is how we fight terrorism effectively to bring good results. I believe this is through international cooperation.

Announcer: We may all agree on the concept of terrorism, and that it can harm the interests of states and nations, but we may differ on the concept of fighting terrorism. Has the U.S. succeeded in achieving the desired results from the war on terror after six years?

The Ambassador: I believe we all succeeded in implementing effective and very important measures to fight terrorism. We should not forget that fighting terrorism does not mean only military measures. Sometimes we need military measures, but in general, the better arrangement is international cooperation concerning, for example, law enforcement, empowering international law, cooperation to fight money-laundering, and cooperation in education, exchange of ideas, culture and thought.

Announcer: I apologize for interrupting, but througout the six years we have seen only a single aspect, that is the armed military operations. We saw a war in Afghanistan, a war in Iraq, and a major bias toward Israel as seen by the Arab citizens from the Mediterranean to the Gulf. We have not seen the other aspect you are talking about. We have not seen educational or cultural cooperation. Why? If it exists, we have not felt it as we should, and it was not of the same proportion as the military reaction that emerged from the U.S.

The Ambassador: Certainly, the international media focus more on military measures. We see them on TV every day. Meanwhile, effective measures involving the enforcement of international law or intelligence work are generally unknown. Sometimes we need military measures because there is a military threat and a threat to U.S. security, coming from Afghanistan, for example. We continue to cooperate with the people and government of Afghanistan, and with the legitimate, democratically elected government of Iraq and the Iraqi people against terrorists there. We have cooperation between the American armed troops and the Iraqi troops and police as well. There must be such cooperation because it is beneficial.

Announcer: We will discuss the American-Iraqi issue or the American presence in Iraq, but what the normal person, especially the Arab citizen, feels is that the U.S. launched the war on terror to protect its own people only. Certainly the U.S. was the most harmed party of 9/11, but it is the one that launched this war and this is the feeling of the Arab citizen. Has the U.S. succeeded in achieving security for its people or has it imprisoned them more within the U.S., given the security measures the U.S. is currently adopting, like eavesdropping and arresting people without trial? Has the U.S. succeeded in achieving security for its citizens? It is said that the State Department advises its citizens traveling abroad not to show their American passport - what is your answer?

The Ambassador: I am a little surprised by the word “prison” or “imprisoned,” because I believe no country in the entire world is as open as the U.S. There are long lines in front of my embassy daily of Egyptians and others seeking travel to the U.S. We welcome them, especially the Egyptians. Is this a kind of prison? I am surprised. It means many people want to enter that prison.

Announcer: However, the security measures taken infringe on liberties. When there is eavesdropping and when a person’s movements are watched, this is a sign of imprisonment.

The Ambassador: Once again, I do not understand how any one can use this word. Undoubtedly, there are tightened security measures these days in the U.S. and the rest of the world. This is well known and is unfortunately necessary in today’s world. However, we try to find a balance between security measures on the one hand, and a warm welcome to all travelers and guests coming to visit us in the U.S. on the other hand. We continue to host many foreigners, especially youth, professors, and students, especially in Ramadan. I met with the Mufti and the Sheikh of Al Azhar in order to review all the procedures for visas. We provided assistance for Egyptian imams and preachers who will be our honored guests in the U.S. during this wonderful season. I believe there is a necessary and appropriate balance in the view of the American citizens.

Announcer: Your Excellency, there are certainly bright aspects of American-Arab relations that no one can deny, but allow me to say that after 9/11 and the war on terror we found tragedies, such as the Haditha village in Iraq, the Abu Ghraib scandal, and Guantanamo. Certainly, these incidents reduced Arab sympathy with American society, which could have been better utilized after 9/11. Do you agree with this view?

The Ambassador: Certainly, under the circumstances of war and terrorism in Iraq, there have been violations and we were the first to condemn them. President Bush himself strongly condemned these violations and there were trials and strong verdicts against the guilty. I do not know if you have in your history anyone who tried officers of the Armed Forces or issued strong verdicts against those who were guilty.

Announcer: But don’t you think that such acts in general have diminished Arab sympathy toward Americans?

The Ambassador: Of course, no one likes war, and we do not want war. As President Mubarak said more than once, in war everyone loses. However, sometimes we cannot avoid wars. This war was imposed on us and we did not start it. It was imposed on us by many attacks during the 1990s. The normal American citizen does not want war. Just like the Arabs and all citizens of the world, we reject war, and we reject terrorism – but they were imposed on us.

Announcer: The American citizen demonstrated against wars everywhere, in Washington and New York.

The Ambassador: Definitely, no one in the world wants war. President Bush himself said from the beginning that we will withdraw American forces when we are able to. We are committed to supporting the Iraqi people in fighting terrorism, building democracy and a new, stable country living in peace with its neighbors.

Announcer: Before we move to the Iraqi issue, there is a point you mentioned - the U.S. is in the eyes of many an oasis of democracy, openness and dialogue with the other. However, do you not see or agree that the war on terror has become a justification for some countries, maybe including the U.S., to practice human rights violations?

The Ambassador: No one can use human rights violations to justify war. War, as I said, was imposed on us. The entry of the coalition forces in Iraq or Afghanistan was necessary and came after long and intense diplomatic efforts with many countries, and with a UN resolution.

Announcer: Some see that Al Qaeda, as in the 9/11 movie and the book, that Al Qaeda may be a production that was created by the American fantasy to achieve other purposes, whether in this region or other wealthy regions. Supporting this idea, U.S. security and intelligence have failed to arrest Bin Laden. We heard about the high technical capabilities of U.S. intelligence. Why has Bin Laden not been captured until now?

The Ambassador: Yes, until now, we have not succeeded in capturing him, but he lives like a criminal. I do not think it is possible for him to conduct all the operations that he would like to conduct against us or our friends in the world now. Yes, unfortunately, he’s still there. I do not know where; some say in Pakistan, or between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, he is not free to conduct criminal operations now.

Announcer: But do you not regret that you had helped Osama Bin Laden in previous times?

The Ambassador: I have heard this talk since 9/11/2001, but this is impossible. We should be objective. I know in the Arab world and even in Egypt, many do not want to accept reality because it is painful. How can anyone claim to be a Muslim and commit such crimes? This is unacceptable to the Egyptian and Arab citizen.

Announcer: But when you used Bin Laden’s help you did not look at him as a Muslim, but as a tool to achieve another purpose, that is to confront the USSR at one point in Afghanistan.

The Ambassador: This is impossible. He has been around since the 1990s and has been committing terrorist acts against us and other countries. When an American hears this, he/she does not understand and thinks there is no use in establishing any dialogue with the Arab world on the basis of impossible ideas.

Announcer: The Arab citizen may think this way because he/she thinks it is strange that all catastrophes in the world happen because of Arabs and Muslims.

The Ambassador: Or that the U.S., or Israel can be the cause of all problems in the Arab world. This is impossible and both parties must be realistic.

Announcer: We have many issues to discuss and we know your time is tight. Britain has started to withdraw troops from Iraq. When will U.S. forces withdraw and deliver the power, security and police fully to the Iraqi government?

The Ambassador: There have been comments on this issue by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and by Washington and London. I believe it is not appropriate to comment on this subject as I do not have specific information. However, certainly Britain continues to support us in the alliance whether on the armed forces or diplomatic level. Many countries have armed forces in Iraq by invitation from the Iraqi government. There is also effective diplomatic cooperation between us and other countries, including Egypt. We have very good diplomatic cooperation with Egypt, where the international conference was held in Sharm El Sheikh and focused on supporting the Iraqi economy.

Announcer: Your Excellency, there has been a cooling of Egyptian-U.S. relations recently after the war on Iraq and other incidents in Palestine and Sudan, and the U.S. position on them. Is there truly a chill in the relations, and is this talk about strong or strategic relations that we hear on certain occasions different from reality?

The Ambassador: As I always say, our relations are very important to both parties. They are strategic, effective and beneficial. We have very many common interests and it is natural, in any bilateral relations – especially the important ones – to have differences in opinion sometimes. However, as you say, a difference in opinion does not ruin good relations. We deal with problems; we have differences about some important issues, but we are friends and we acknowledge this daily. This is the reality - we have differences on some issues.

Announcer: Speaking of differences, you know about the recent rumor concerning President Mubarak’s health and that you were personally accused of contributing to it. What is your response?

The Ambassador: I was surprised when I heard this false rumor. I was surprised because it was absolutely unfounded. I was surprised by something else; because no one among our journalist friends, contacted us to verify the information. Please, I beg you to call us immediately. We are available 24 hours to answer questions about U.S. policy, diplomatic activities, or USAID programs.

Announcer: When you were accused of causing the rumor, why didn’t you issue a statement or denial immediately?

The Ambassador: Because everyday there is misinformation in the Egyptian press that is generally not important. When we saw this rumor in the beginning, we thought it was an unimportant summer rumor.

Announcer: Your Excellency mentioned that your relations with Egypt are good and strong. I agree with you, but why then is there a feeling within the Egyptian citizen that the U.S. is trying to impose its own concept of democracy, which does not suit us as Egyptians, who have a history, certain beliefs, and a way of living, for example. Allow me to ask some questions about U.S. assistance to Egypt and its use as a weapon to impose certain policies. Also, concerning interference in Ayman Nour’s case, where you have had a statement.

The Ambassador: About the American interest in internal Egyptian affairs such as Ayman Nour’s case, Egypt is an important country in the world. You have a major role in the global arena. We do not forget that Egypt is an important country. In today’s world, there are no secrets; everything is known through the internet and the media. There is major interest about Egypt in particular. As for Ayman Nour, we have a difference about how to view this issue.

Announcer: Some press today quoted your Excellency as saying “The U.S. and Europe misunderstood Ayman Nour’s case?”

The Ambassador: Unfortunately, the title was in one government newspaper and was inaccurate. The full text in an independent paper was more accurate. I said we have different views on the issue. We see that the issue is political because Mr. Ayman Nour was a politician who ran for president and afterwards, was tried and jailed for five years. From the outside and from American and European points of view, the issue is a political issue.

Announcer: Your Excellency, have you read all the details of the case and did you realize that it was originally a case of forging affidavits, and not of politics from the start, because this had happened before the elections?

The Ambassador: He was always a political man even before the elections. He established an opposition party and a newspaper.

Announcer: But it was established in violation of the law. Does the U.S. allow a party to be established in violation of the law without taking measures against the person who committed that crime?

The Ambassador: He established the party under the Egyptian law and we understood that. However, abroad, there is a different understanding of the issue and we admit that. You and many Egyptians themselves differ in your opinions about the issue. I know the position of the government of Egypt is that this case is criminal, and we differ on that.

Announcer: When Egyptians differ on such issue, it concerns their own country, it is a domestic issue. However, when the U.S. expresses its opinion on the domestic issues of another country, don’t you think this is interference in another country’s internal affairs?

The Ambassador: But don’t you have opinions about the next U.S. elections?

Announcers: But these opinions are not based on official sources. They are opinions of the Egyptian man-on-street, not coming from official sources. They are not official criticism.

The Ambassador: From our perspective, interest in the affairs of Egypt as an important country is not interference. Americans feel Egypt is an important country, especially in the region. We believe Egypt continues to be a leader in all regional affairs, including peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and also Sudan, Iraq, Iran, democracy and freedom. Egypt is a leader in culture, and leads in human resources, as well as economic and natural wealth.

Announcer: As the American Administration, do you have red lights when working with some elements of the Egyptian political community at large, from the far right to the far left. I specifically mean the banned group, the Muslim Brothers?

The Ambassador: The red line as you call it is that, when dealing with the Egyptian government and the Egyptian people it has to be based on mutual respect. This is the only red line: mutual respect and transparency. Let’s go back to the issue of rumors. This is a game. We deal with you very seriously. As for the Muslim Brothers, we respect all members of your People’s Assembly and Shura Council. We must respect any elected persons or anyone appointed by the President, as well as members of opposition or the ruling party. We are ready for relations with them in open, public and official manner.

Announcer: Your Excellency, the U.S. President called for holding a peace conference next November. President Mubarak came out with a statement and said this conference will not succeed as long as there is no specific agenda for it. What is your comment on this?

The Ambassador: First, we did not say that the conference will take place in November. We said it is going to be late this year or before winter, we hope. We are in constant contact with the Israelis and Palestinians because there has to be good preparation as we agree with the Egyptian and all Arab governments that there must be good and tangible results. We really want positive results.

Announcer: Let’s move away from the heat of politics and go the Ramadan atmospherics. Do you eat Konafa in Ramadan?

The Ambassador: Yes. Sure.

Announcer: I want to ask you Mr. Ambassador, where did you learn Arabic?

The Ambassador: First, I studied at the American diplomatic corps institute for eight months. I had Egyptian teachers. Then I arrived in Egypt in the mid-1980s. Through working here as Political Attaché, I had communications with many people; taxi drivers, professors, students and state officials. Almost everybody.

Announcer: Did you have corn on the Corniche?

The Ambassador: I had corn. But I don’t like corn - I like Moloukheya and Om Ali.

Announcer: Mr. Ambassador, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, what would you like to say to the Egyptian people?

The Ambassador: Of course, I wish all Muslim friends here in Egypt a happy and blessed Ramadan (Ramadan Karim wa Mubarak). And Kol Sana Wentom Taybeyn.

Announcer: Same to you Mr. Ambassador. We are grateful for coming in and for bearing with us, and your candid answers to our questions. Some of them have been diplomatic, but in the end we thank Your Excellency very much for being with us. And let us wish you many happy returns.

The Ambassador: Same good wishes to you.

Announcer: Again, thanks very much Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Ambassador of the United States of America in Cairo. And many happy returns.