Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview with Daniel Ayalon

Aired November 29, 2002 - 07:06   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: The attacks may draw Israel deeper into the international war on terror. How will the country respond?
Let's go to Washington right now and talk with Danny Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.

Mr. Ambassador, good morning to you.

DANIEL AYALON, ISRAELI AMB. TO U.S.: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Why is it that Israeli officials were so quick to put the finger of blame here on al Qaeda?

AYALON: Well, the investigation, Bill, is still under way, but it's not inconceivable. We see the mode of operations, and it's not the first time that we see close links between Palestinian terror and al Qaeda. They have been trying to operate before, and they continue to do that. So, this is why we believe this was a joint operation.

HEMMER: Now, listen, yesterday the Army of Palestine, a group previously unheard of, had claimed responsibility for this. Are you dismissing their claim?

AYALON: Well, it has been known in the past also for Palestinian terror groups to guise themselves in different names. But it's not a question that it was Palestinian terror, and we see that now we face a coalition of terror, and it's not just in Israel. It's everywhere around the globe. It's the same type of terrorism that hit Bali or here in the United States or in the Philippines or anywhere else.

And this is so important now for all democracies to group together behind the leadership -- the courageous leadership of President Bush in the fight against terror, because terror, these extreme terrorists, have to be eradicated, because otherwise, they are out to get all -- all democracies.

HEMMER: About two weeks ago, the Australian government put out a warning about -- to its own citizens essentially traveling or working in Kenya. Was Israel aware of that warning out there? And if so, were there any specifics offered?

AYALON: Yes, we were aware -- we are aware of the dangers worldwide, and this is why it is so important to be vigilant, and first of all, to understand that we are facing a global war of terror. And there is a connection, there is a coalition of terrorists everywhere -- Palestinians, al Qaeda and others -- Hezbollah, of course. And this is the time for countries to cooperate and fight back. There is no other way.

HEMMER: How will Israel fight back, given the attacks not only yesterday in Kenya, but also in northern Israel as well?

AYALON: Well, Bill, Israel was among the first to back the president's speech after 9/11 and to cooperate on all levels, and we'll keep doing that. We will bring the perpetrators of this attack in Kenya to justice, and we will make sure that we fight back. We cannot sit idle, because this is what the terrorists expect, to intimidate, to terrorize. And we see the dangers if they are successful in one place, this could be copied and emulated anywhere else.

HEMMER: Yes...

AYALON: I think...

HEMMER: ... has Israel, then, sent teams -- just to follow up on your answer -- have you sent teams yet to Kenya to investigate firsthand?

AYALON: We have people there, and of course, we have good cooperation from the Kenyan authorities, and we'll thoroughly investigate and finish it there.

HEMMER: So, you heard the report from Catherine Bond about the evidence that was found at the scene there. Does that give you some sense of optimism that you may be able to have the evidence you need going forward in this investigation?

AYALON: Yes, there is still something to start on, and I believe that sooner or later, we will find exactly all of those who did it and those who sent them, and we will bring them to justice.

HEMMER: Yes, you're in Washington, D.C. as ambassador. What help do you hope to get from the U.S.?

AYALON: Well, we've been cooperating with the United States on a constant basis, and we really look up to the leadership of the U.S., to its courage, and we will be behind it.

HEMMER: Yes, what is your sense in an overall perspective here about the threat of terrorism operating right now in Africa?

AYALON: Well, it's not just in Africa, Bill. There are sleepers or dormant cells all over. And we see -- and this is the danger. We see a coalition of terror -- Palestinian terror groups, al Qaeda, Hezbollah -- and they are all over the globe. And they are actually using or taking advantage of the freedoms of democracies, whether to move funds, whether to free (ph) and travel, or whether to use the Internet. And this is what we do -- this is what they do.

I think it is very important, not just to clamp down on the terrorist organizations, but also to put political pressure and isolate rogue regimes that give them safe haven, whether it's in Lebanon or whether it's in Syria, Iran, or whether it's the Palestinian Authority, because there is no difference between the terrorists and those who shelter them. Without the shelter, without a base, training or any base to operate, the terrorists could not really be successful, and this is why it's so important to work both against the terrorist organizations and against the regimes that give them shelter.

HEMMER: Danny Ayalon, Israeli ambassador to the U.S. live this morning in D.C. -- thanks for your time today.

AYALON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.







Aired November 29, 2002 - 07:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The attacks may draw Israel deeper into the international war on terror. How will the country respond?
Let's go to Washington right now and talk with Danny Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.

Mr. Ambassador, good morning to you.

DANIEL AYALON, ISRAELI AMB. TO U.S.: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Why is it that Israeli officials were so quick to put the finger of blame here on al Qaeda?

AYALON: Well, the investigation, Bill, is still under way, but it's not inconceivable. We see the mode of operations, and it's not the first time that we see close links between Palestinian terror and al Qaeda. They have been trying to operate before, and they continue to do that. So, this is why we believe this was a joint operation.

HEMMER: Now, listen, yesterday the Army of Palestine, a group previously unheard of, had claimed responsibility for this. Are you dismissing their claim?

AYALON: Well, it has been known in the past also for Palestinian terror groups to guise themselves in different names. But it's not a question that it was Palestinian terror, and we see that now we face a coalition of terror, and it's not just in Israel. It's everywhere around the globe. It's the same type of terrorism that hit Bali or here in the United States or in the Philippines or anywhere else.

And this is so important now for all democracies to group together behind the leadership -- the courageous leadership of President Bush in the fight against terror, because terror, these extreme terrorists, have to be eradicated, because otherwise, they are out to get all -- all democracies.

HEMMER: About two weeks ago, the Australian government put out a warning about -- to its own citizens essentially traveling or working in Kenya. Was Israel aware of that warning out there? And if so, were there any specifics offered?

AYALON: Yes, we were aware -- we are aware of the dangers worldwide, and this is why it is so important to be vigilant, and first of all, to understand that we are facing a global war of terror. And there is a connection, there is a coalition of terrorists everywhere -- Palestinians, al Qaeda and others -- Hezbollah, of course. And this is the time for countries to cooperate and fight back. There is no other way.

HEMMER: How will Israel fight back, given the attacks not only yesterday in Kenya, but also in northern Israel as well?

AYALON: Well, Bill, Israel was among the first to back the president's speech after 9/11 and to cooperate on all levels, and we'll keep doing that. We will bring the perpetrators of this attack in Kenya to justice, and we will make sure that we fight back. We cannot sit idle, because this is what the terrorists expect, to intimidate, to terrorize. And we see the dangers if they are successful in one place, this could be copied and emulated anywhere else.

HEMMER: Yes...

AYALON: I think...

HEMMER: ... has Israel, then, sent teams -- just to follow up on your answer -- have you sent teams yet to Kenya to investigate firsthand?

AYALON: We have people there, and of course, we have good cooperation from the Kenyan authorities, and we'll thoroughly investigate and finish it there.

HEMMER: So, you heard the report from Catherine Bond about the evidence that was found at the scene there. Does that give you some sense of optimism that you may be able to have the evidence you need going forward in this investigation?

AYALON: Yes, there is still something to start on, and I believe that sooner or later, we will find exactly all of those who did it and those who sent them, and we will bring them to justice.

HEMMER: Yes, you're in Washington, D.C. as ambassador. What help do you hope to get from the U.S.?

AYALON: Well, we've been cooperating with the United States on a constant basis, and we really look up to the leadership of the U.S., to its courage, and we will be behind it.

HEMMER: Yes, what is your sense in an overall perspective here about the threat of terrorism operating right now in Africa?

AYALON: Well, it's not just in Africa, Bill. There are sleepers or dormant cells all over. And we see -- and this is the danger. We see a coalition of terror -- Palestinian terror groups, al Qaeda, Hezbollah -- and they are all over the globe. And they are actually using or taking advantage of the freedoms of democracies, whether to move funds, whether to free (ph) and travel, or whether to use the Internet. And this is what we do -- this is what they do.

I think it is very important, not just to clamp down on the terrorist organizations, but also to put political pressure and isolate rogue regimes that give them safe haven, whether it's in Lebanon or whether it's in Syria, Iran, or whether it's the Palestinian Authority, because there is no difference between the terrorists and those who shelter them. Without the shelter, without a base, training or any base to operate, the terrorists could not really be successful, and this is why it's so important to work both against the terrorist organizations and against the regimes that give them shelter.

HEMMER: Danny Ayalon, Israeli ambassador to the U.S. live this morning in D.C. -- thanks for your time today.

AYALON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.