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CNN Live Saturday

Interwiew With Jewish Community Spokesman

Aired November 16, 2003 - 18:09   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.


CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now for more of a perspective from the Jewish community let's talk to a spokesman for the Jewish community Silvio Ovadyo. Let me ask you Silvia, first of all, how much fear is there among the community now after these two attacks, after what we see over our soldiers here?
SILVIO OVADYO, JEWISH COMMUNITY SPOKESMAN: Today, we have two -- two see (ph) attacks. We are not very afraid. We do not like very much these events but, you know, there were many attacks like this in many countries. We are not very happy, but we are not afraid very much.

BURNS: But that is almost fatalistic and, look, this is the biggest -- this behind our soldiers is the biggest synagogue in Turkey. It was struck. This is a message. Are you now more fearful because of this attack?

OVADYO: No, no. We have many precautions for security in every synagogue, in every hospital, in the school, every place. But, you know, you can find also in the eleven September in the states two terrible attacks, or three terrible attacks. And you can do nothing if you are in front of this recent attack.

BURNS: Are you doing any more security measures now as a result of that?

OVADYO: Yes, we are trying, and we have many parties of Istanbul, and minister of interior help us every time. They send us many policemen and they help us every time. We have also -- we are working with the security companies -- and we have the securities in our synagogues and in our foundations.

BURNS: And what do you think was perhaps the motive behind these attacks? Were they striking at the Jewish people? Were they striking at the state of Israel? Were they striking at Turkey for its relationship for its relations with Israel?

OVADYO: We don't know. But the first is the terrorism, we don't if this an attack of al Qaeda. Is it an attack of the organization who don't want the peace in the Middle East.

BURNS: So you are leaving that up to investigators?

OVADYO: Yes.

BURNS: And at the moment you ... OVADYO: Or they don't want a good relation between Turkey and Israel -- Turkey and Israel.

BURNS; That's a possibility then, right, right.

OVADYO: Also, it's another reason.

BURNS: Silvio Ovadyo, thank you very much. Thank you very much.

OVADYO: Ok, your welcome.

BURNS: Mr. Silvio Ovadyo, a spokesman for the Jewish community saying that the level of fear has been heightened to some degree. But they do still believe that they have the necessary security measures so that they can get on with their lives tomorrow -- Carol.

LIN: Thank you very much. Chris Burns live in Istanbul.

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 16, 2003 - 18:09   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now for more of a perspective from the Jewish community let's talk to a spokesman for the Jewish community Silvio Ovadyo. Let me ask you Silvia, first of all, how much fear is there among the community now after these two attacks, after what we see over our soldiers here?
SILVIO OVADYO, JEWISH COMMUNITY SPOKESMAN: Today, we have two -- two see (ph) attacks. We are not very afraid. We do not like very much these events but, you know, there were many attacks like this in many countries. We are not very happy, but we are not afraid very much.

BURNS: But that is almost fatalistic and, look, this is the biggest -- this behind our soldiers is the biggest synagogue in Turkey. It was struck. This is a message. Are you now more fearful because of this attack?

OVADYO: No, no. We have many precautions for security in every synagogue, in every hospital, in the school, every place. But, you know, you can find also in the eleven September in the states two terrible attacks, or three terrible attacks. And you can do nothing if you are in front of this recent attack.

BURNS: Are you doing any more security measures now as a result of that?

OVADYO: Yes, we are trying, and we have many parties of Istanbul, and minister of interior help us every time. They send us many policemen and they help us every time. We have also -- we are working with the security companies -- and we have the securities in our synagogues and in our foundations.

BURNS: And what do you think was perhaps the motive behind these attacks? Were they striking at the Jewish people? Were they striking at the state of Israel? Were they striking at Turkey for its relationship for its relations with Israel?

OVADYO: We don't know. But the first is the terrorism, we don't if this an attack of al Qaeda. Is it an attack of the organization who don't want the peace in the Middle East.

BURNS: So you are leaving that up to investigators?

OVADYO: Yes.

BURNS: And at the moment you ... OVADYO: Or they don't want a good relation between Turkey and Israel -- Turkey and Israel.

BURNS; That's a possibility then, right, right.

OVADYO: Also, it's another reason.

BURNS: Silvio Ovadyo, thank you very much. Thank you very much.

OVADYO: Ok, your welcome.

BURNS: Mr. Silvio Ovadyo, a spokesman for the Jewish community saying that the level of fear has been heightened to some degree. But they do still believe that they have the necessary security measures so that they can get on with their lives tomorrow -- Carol.

LIN: Thank you very much. Chris Burns live in Istanbul.

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