Index

Ross on Middle East Peace, Terrorism

Excerpts of an interview with Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross on "Fox News Sunday" October 15, 2000 Begin Excerpts: QUESTION: Now joining us is Dennis Ross, Special Middle East Coordinator for the Administration...Yemen says that there are no terrorists on its soil. That's wrong. DENNIS ROSS: Well, what's clear is that we've had an act that is very tragic, where we have seventeen Americans who have lost their lives. We have an investigation underway right now. The Yemenis are in fact cooperating with that. It's pretty clear that there was an act against us that was a terrorist act, and we've got to get to the bottom of it. QUESTION: But is it not the case -- it's been well known in the intelligence community, it's been published all over the place -- hat there are a number of terrorist cells operating out of Aden, including one called "The Suicidals," that's operated by Osama bin Ladin. Correct? DENNIS ROSS: Well, I think what we have seen over the last several years is that Yemen has done a better job in trying to deal with the terrorist threat, and we've been building a relationship with them. But obviously, we have to get to the bottom of this. We don't know who's responsible, we have to have an investigation, and at that point we can draw the conclusions. QUESTION: You're not disputing though the facts or premise of Tony's question, about the existence of terrorist cells in Yemen, in Aden, are you? DENNIS ROSS: There are groups that have existed in the past. We certainly know that the Yemenis have made an effort to root them out, but I think to draw conclusions at this point would be premature.