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CNN Live Sunday

Why Do Some Hate America?

Aired December 01, 2002 - 17:07   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.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Israelis were the targets in Kenya, and as you just heard, intelligence sources are hearing Americans may be next. The hatred of the West is palpable on the streets from parts of Africa to Asia to the Middle East. CNN's Ben Wedeman listened closely to what is being said on the streets to understand why some there hate the United States so much.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Midday prayers at a Mombasa mosque. Piety carries a premium in this predominantly Muslim city, home to a diverse community, composed of African Muslims and others whose forefathers came from the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

Here, they reject suggestion that some among them may have assisted those behind last week's attack on an Israeli owned hotel and the attempt to shoot down an Israeli passenger plane.

After prayers, we spoke with worshipers about last week's attacks, and their view of Washington's war on terror.

"I don't see that America's fighting terrorism," says this man. "American is fighting Islam. America is now the number one enemy of Islam in the world, and that is clear."

(on camera): Among many Muslims in Mombasa, there is the distinct impression that the attacks on Israeli targets here are part of a wider, global struggle pitting the United States and Israel against Islam.

(voice-over): Few we spoke to seemed to give much credence to the description of Osama bin Laden as a master international terrorist.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we have been told is only from one side, from the American side. America has involved Osama bin Laden. They have stated this and that. But we, I myself, I have no information, any evidence to prove Osama bin Laden is involved. It's only a saying, an allegation from American side.

WEDEMAN: And some in the streets of Mombasa's bustling old city had allegations of their own.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America is 98 percent, all their top are Jews. In short, they are Jews, from Bush to the rest, to the all -- from origin Jews.

WEDEMAN (on camera): You think Bush is Jewish?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, the mother of Bush is Jewish.

WEDEMAN: You mean Barbara Bush?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry, I have (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's true.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): What is true is that the United States seems to have scant credibility among many Muslims in this city.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Mombasa, Kenya.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 December 1, 2002 - 17:07   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Israelis were the targets in Kenya, and as you just heard, intelligence sources are hearing Americans may be next. The hatred of the West is palpable on the streets from parts of Africa to Asia to the Middle East. CNN's Ben Wedeman listened closely to what is being said on the streets to understand why some there hate the United States so much.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Midday prayers at a Mombasa mosque. Piety carries a premium in this predominantly Muslim city, home to a diverse community, composed of African Muslims and others whose forefathers came from the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

Here, they reject suggestion that some among them may have assisted those behind last week's attack on an Israeli owned hotel and the attempt to shoot down an Israeli passenger plane.

After prayers, we spoke with worshipers about last week's attacks, and their view of Washington's war on terror.

"I don't see that America's fighting terrorism," says this man. "American is fighting Islam. America is now the number one enemy of Islam in the world, and that is clear."

(on camera): Among many Muslims in Mombasa, there is the distinct impression that the attacks on Israeli targets here are part of a wider, global struggle pitting the United States and Israel against Islam.

(voice-over): Few we spoke to seemed to give much credence to the description of Osama bin Laden as a master international terrorist.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we have been told is only from one side, from the American side. America has involved Osama bin Laden. They have stated this and that. But we, I myself, I have no information, any evidence to prove Osama bin Laden is involved. It's only a saying, an allegation from American side.

WEDEMAN: And some in the streets of Mombasa's bustling old city had allegations of their own.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America is 98 percent, all their top are Jews. In short, they are Jews, from Bush to the rest, to the all -- from origin Jews.

WEDEMAN (on camera): You think Bush is Jewish?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, the mother of Bush is Jewish.

WEDEMAN: You mean Barbara Bush?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry, I have (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's true.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): What is true is that the United States seems to have scant credibility among many Muslims in this city.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Mombasa, Kenya.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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