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.