Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Conflict in the Middle East: Interview of Former Assistant Secretary of State Dejerejian on Prospects for Peace
Aired October 15, 2001 - 11:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Following last month's attacks on New York and at the Pentagon, Washington's approach to international policy has been shifting.
Let's talk more about it -- Edward Dejerejian, a former assistant secretary of state.
EDWARD DEJEREJIAN, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: What are you making of Yasser Arafat's meeting in London today?
DEJEREJIAN: I think his meeting with Prime Minister Blair is part of an effort to see what could be done to help to stabilize the situation on the ground between the Israelis and the Palestinians and see if this is some context in which the Israelis and the Palestinians can start talks on security matters, in the beginning, leading hopefully to political discussions.
HEMMER: Do you think at this point that can go anywhere in a positive direction?
DEJEREJIAN: I do. I think a lot depends on the parties themselves, with strong encouragement from the international community, including the United States. Basically, I think that the prospects are there.
September 11 has shifted priorities both in our domestic and our foreign policy. Obviously, the focus has changed on many things. But fundamental U.S. policy toward Arab-Israeli peace has not changed. Those fundamentals are there in UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338, the Madrid Peace Conference, and principal of land for peace. So the overall fundamental context for peace is there.
The challenge is how to get the parties really to control the security situation on the ground. Both sides have to do their part on that. And then get a political discussion going.
HEMMER: Do you think Yasser Arafat has a lot of concern at this point, knowing that Osama bin Laden is speaking for the Palestinian people in some cases? Does he have a problem with that and how it reflects back upon his efforts to bring peace in the Gaza and West Bank and future aims in those parts of the Middle East?
DEJEREJIAN: Yes, I do believe that's the case. Osama bin Laden is, as an extremist, as a terrorist, exploiting the Palestinian issue for his own ends, as he's exploiting the Iraqi issue, as is he exploiting the situation in the region as a whole and putting pressure on regimes that are close to the West and especially the United States, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
HEMMER: You mention Saudi Arabia. At some point, does that government come out more publicly?
DEJEREJIAN: First, the Saudis and the United States have been cooperating for a long time, especially since the Gulf War of '91. But there are tremendous strains on the Saudi regime that come from within and come from the region. And the Saudis are faced with a particular challenge now on how much they can cooperate with the U.S.- led alliance and coalitions. And I think there's obviously room for more to be done.
HEMMER: Do you think, then, their stance publicly is a lot different from their private stance?
DEJEREJIAN: I think that the Saudis are doing a great deal privately and as discretely as possible, perhaps more than meets the public eye. But there are specific issues, such as going after the money trail and the funding of terrorist organizations that much more needs to be done.
HEMMER: Do you think at this point the United States, behind closed doors -- you mentioned privately -- do you think they are satisfied with the Saudi efforts?
DEJEREJIAN: I can't speak for the U.S. administration, but I think the administration has very intelligently put together a whole series of coalitions, Bill. Depending on the partnership we have, for example, at the highest level, with the British, the French, the Germans, the Japanese; second level, the Russians and the Chinese; another level with all of these other countries, including the Arab countries. I think what we are asking each country to do is to come forward as smartly and as positively as possible, according to their capabilities.
HEMMER: Do you see behind closed doors, and in private also with the case of Cairo, are they following a similar line?
DEJEREJIAN: Yes, I think we shouldn't diminish the strong relationships we have with countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Those relationships are strong. But if you try to get deeper into this issue -- and I know we don't have time to get into this today -- but there are such important socioeconomic political pressures on these regimes -- that these leaders are looking over their shoulders to public opinion and very concerned about reactions in the street to what is happening.
HEMMER: We have three minutes. We could take 30 hours. Edward Dejerejian, Mr. Ambassador, thanks. I much appreciate your coming by today.
DEJEREJIAN: Thank you, Bill.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
