18 December 1998
TRANSCRIPT: ALBRIGHT INTERVIEW ON CNN'S EARLY EDITION DEC. 18
(SecState discusses closure of US Embassies, Russia) (880) Washington -- The temporary closure of some 40 US embassies located in Africa, Kuwait and Israel is a precautionary measure taken in response to "some specific security threats," says Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Speaking on the Cable Network New's "Early Edition" program December 18, Albright said "We are obviously taking every precaution in what is a dangerous situation in the world now with terrorism." Albright was asked about Russia's decision to call home their ambassadors to the United States and Great Britain in protest of the decision to take military action against Iraq. "It's unfortunate that they have done that; we regret it," Albright said. Noting that US-Russia relations are important, the Secretary said: "We will cooperate where we can and manage our differences." Following is the State Department transcript: (begin transcript) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release December 18, 1998 INTERVIEW OF SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT ON CNN'S EARLY EDITION Washington, D.C. Q: Let's go to our top story, the situation in Iraq. Right now, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been quite busy of late; she is now in the center of all this. She joins us now from the State Department this morning to give us an idea of what's going on right now. We thank you for joining us, Madame Secretary. Can you tell us more about what we heard this morning about the US closing some 40 embassies in Africa as well as Kuwait and Israel. What is it that you're doing this for? ALBRIGHT: Well, first of all, there are some specific security threats to a variety of embassies. We're taking precautions. And then, of course, there is the general problem of the war of what's going on with Iraq. But we are obviously taking every precaution in what is a dangerous situation in the world now with terrorism. Q: Well, while they have not closed their embassy, the Russians, we understand now, have called back home their ambassadors to the US and to Great Britain. What do you make of this? They're saying that what's happening right now in Iraq could ruin US-Russian relations. Is this a very serious issue to you at all or what? ALBRIGHT: Well, I think it's unfortunate that they have done that; we regret it. We are not recalling our ambassador. We obviously disagree about the use of force in Iraq, but we have a very important relationship with the Russians. We will continue to manage that relationship. We will cooperate where we can and manage our differences. I think that Iraq is just one aspect of this. Q: Then why is it happening, then? ALBRIGHT: Well, I think that the Russians they have a different view about use of force. They wanted diplomacy, but the truth is that they had no ideas. They worked very hard on trying to persuade Saddam Hussein to comply; they failed. We all decided and President Clinton felt very strongly that it was in our national security interest to deal with the threat that Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction their future capability of threatening us, the neighbors, the regional stability with them, and that we had a responsibility, as the United States, to deal with a threat of this kind. Q: You said they have no ideas. Does the US or anyone else have any idea what is supposed to happen after the bombing is over? We know the bombing cannot possibly be the end-all, be-all here in your strategy. What happens next? ALBRIGHT: Well, it is possible still for Saddam Hussein, after this strike, to let UNSCOM a real, hard-working UNSCOM with professionals go in and have unfettered access to the various sites; to turn over documents; to let them do their work. Then we would go to this comprehensive review. We were always willing, if they cooperated with UNSCOM, the UN inspectors, to go to a comprehensive review. I, frankly, am amazed that Saddam Hussein did not take that opportunity. He had a chance to get out of his box and he blew it. Q: But, see, doesn't that put you right back where you started at the very beginning of all this? You're in another situation then, if you get to that point, where there is no end in sight. That is the reason the Iraqis are saying they've been acting the way they have been acting. ALBRIGHT: Well, let me just say this obviously, our policy is to try to contain Saddam Hussein and the threat of the weapons of mass destruction. But we also believe that the Iraqi people need a government that is more representative of them, and we are talking about regime change and working with a variety of opposition groups to try for them to help themselves to have a government that is representative and that would abide by Security Council. Q: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, we thank you very much for your time. This is going to be, no doubt, a busy day for you. Thank you very much; take care. ALBRIGHT: Thank you. (end transcript)
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