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CNN Live At Daybreak
Discussion with Czech Prime Minister
Aired November 09, 2001 - 07:48 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: One of the world leaders heading to the United Nations for that important meeting is the Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman. He has been an outspoken supporter of the U.S.- led war against terrorism. He also supports the idea of an anti propaganda, Radio Free Afghanistan, which would broadcast from Prague.
Mr. Zeman is in Washington for meetings today with Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell. He joins us live there from this morning.
Mr. Prime Minister, good to have you with us.
MILOS ZEMAN, CZECH PRIME MINISTER: Well good morning.
O'BRIEN: Good morning. You've indicated your support for the U.S. in its war against terrorism, how are you prepared to back up that support?
ZEMAN: Well first of all, there are two types of support. The first one are simply general and warm phrases about solidarity, friendship and so on. I hate indifferences (ph), I like the deeds and action. And that's why we have proposed four of concrete support. However, we are small country, but it doesn't matter.
The first one is the anti-chemical unit, about 400 of soldiers. It was very good in Desert Storm operation. And the second one is the group of Rangers, about 600 of soldiers. You will smile probably because you are proud about American Rangers, but please do not forget that the Czech Rangers were evaluated as the best Rangers in the NATO competition. Better than SAS. But current...
O'BRIEN: Well, congratulations.
ZEMAN: Oh, thank you -- thank you . And the third is, well, the group of field hospitals, which are also a very good on the war scene (ph) and last, but not least, well, we have only three big capacity planes. So we have offered the two, Americans accepted only one, that's all.
O'BRIEN: All right, what can you tell us about Radio Free Afghanistan? Are you concerned that might put Prague and make it more of a target for potential terrorist threats if that signal is emanating from there? ZEMAN: Well, Radio Free Afghanistan might be an integral part of Radio Free Europe, and as you know, there is broadcasting to Iraq, to Iran and to some other countries -- why not to Afghanistan? My single problem is that this broadcasting is to be widely spread, is to be accepted by Afghanistan people, in order to understand the broadcasting.
So, but let me back to some problems. They called me "utra oche" (ph) and nobody understand why -- why such a smaller country like Czech Republic, so decisively supports the States.
Well, I have very simple and short explanation for it. You know, my country negotiated with one terrorist who was called, not Osama bin Laden, but Adolph Hitler, and in the 30s, there was apeasement policy, when Britain, France and so on negotiated with Adolph Hitler and that war too (ph) has been of consequence. That's why we pretty know that it is impossible to negotiate with the terrorists. The fight is...
O'BRIEN: Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Prime Minister, I'm sorry for interrupting ...
ZEMAN: Yes, it's alright.
O'BRIEN: Time is expiring and I'm very sorry to interrupt you, but I did want to get one more thing accomplished with you and that is the issue of Mohamed Atta.
ZEMAN: Mm-hmm.
O'BRIEN: Reports that he met with Iraqi intelligence in Prague prior to the September 11th attacks. I'm just curious what you know about this -- Mohamed Atta, of course, the reputed leader of the terrorist gang that flew the aircraft into the World Trade Center. I'm curious what you know about this meeting and what you know about Iraqi intelligence operating in Prague.
ZEMAN: Okay. First of all, everything, what is known by the Czech Secret Services is known by American Secret Services, including some details because there is a group cooperation of both secret services, but back to your question. At first, Atta contacted some Iraqi agent, not to prepare the terroristic attack on Twins, but to prepare terroristic attack on just the building of Radio Free Europe.
There were some plans to use a truck with standard explosives and to destroy the building of the Free Europe. That's all we know. And of course, Iraq diplomat has been expelled from the Czech Republic two weeks after this meeting. Do not forget that Atta lived more than one year in Germany and Prague, visited only once or twice. This is my information.
O'BRIEN: All right, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for your time this morning. Good luck at your meetings today and ultimately at the United Nations. Milos Zeman is the Czech Prime Minister joining us live from Washington this morning.
ZEMAN: And the best, good luck. O'BRIEN: All right.
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