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CNN Live At Daybreak
Target: Terrorism - Egyptian Piece of Puzzle
Aired October 05, 2001 - 07:38 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Egypt is an important piece of the diplomatic puzzle in the U.S. war on terrorism. Here are some vital statistics about this key U.S. ally.
Egypt has a population of over 68 million. Its terrain consists of the vast desert plateau, the Nile Valley and Delta. The country is 94 percent Muslim, mostly Sunni Muslims. Coptic Christians and others compromise the remaining six percent.
Joining us to talk about Egypt's role is Paul Sullivan. He is a professor at the National Defense University. Professor Sullivan, thanks for being with us.
PAUL SULLIVAN, NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: A few days ago Paula interviewed Richard Holbrooke, the former assistant secretary of state, and he expressed a lot of concern about what is coming out of Cairo, or, more accurately, what is not coming out of Cairo. He said the silence from Cairo is ominous, his words. Would you go along with that?
SULLIVAN: Well, the Egyptians have certain internal issues that they have to deal with and this is a very complicated situation for them to face. However, the Egyptians have often supported us in such events. They have a certain amount of political brittleness within their country that Mr. Mubarak, who is a very intelligent and conscious man, has to consider.
O'BRIEN: Of course, 20 years ago this week Mr. Mubarak's predecessor was assassinated by a group that was, has been linked to Osama bin Laden. I guess therein lie the complications.
SULLIVAN: Well, not necessarily. I think that we're all in this together. I think the Egyptians understand that this is as much a threat to them as it is to us.
O'BRIEN: All right, but why haven't we seen more forceful statements coming from Mr. Mubarak?
SULLIVAN: Well, as I understand it, Mr. Mubarak does support us in this.
O'BRIEN: OK, but as far as public statements, though? SULLIVAN: Public statements, I think that you will expect them in a future. He's a very cautious man. He has to consider the situation. He has to deal with his Arab allies, as well.
O'BRIEN: Give us a sense of how strategically important Egypt is in all of this as the U.S. considers a cooperation against terrorism?
SULLIVAN: Well, Egypt is the diplomatic and military and, in many ways, the cultural leader of the region. You pointed out the statistics on the population. It's the most populous Arab country. It has a great deal of clout in the region. It's also very strategically located on the Mediterranean connecting with the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. It has the Sinai as part of its territory. For over flights and many other strategic decisions, Egypt is vitally important.
O'BRIEN: You mentioned the over flights, but as I look at that same map, I see Iraq and Iran between Egypt and Afghanistan. Does that really come into play for over flights?
SULLIVAN: Well, it would in many ways depending on what the response is going to be. And, of course, I can't make any comment on that.
O'BRIEN: OK, Paul Sullivan, a professor at the National Defense University. Thanks very much for your time this morning.
SULLIVAN: You're welcome.
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