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Amb. Negroponte on US response to savage attack in Libya

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    Former director of National Intelligence sounds off

  • Duration 6:39
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So how does the United States respond here to explain what's next former director of national intelligence and -- -- secretary of state who worked in the worst war zone you can possibly imagine.

And did fantastic work ambassador John neighbor -- ambassador welcome.

What do you think our best next step is first of course in Libya.

Well personal let me say I think that didn't Cris Stevens we we lost an exemplary.

Diplomat he was the kind of for example of expeditionary diplomacy that characterizes our work in these hotspots around the world and I think we all mourn his loss in week.

We will miss him -- -- greatly.

As far as next steps I think first of all we've just got to.

Wait this situation out a bit and at least get past Friday the Friday prayers tomorrow and see see how that works out that I'm certain.

That what cheer the images you're showing up on our screens this morning.

Are not representative of the views of the governments and the people's of those countries I don't think they want to.

To see this.

-- their countries descended into chaos sure you -- the director of the national and intelligence.

Agency.

We didn't see this comment how is that possible.

Well I think first of all.

As you -- call in the Arab Spring what happened in Tunisia sometimes these incidents can be sparked by.

Some.

-- anticipated event and then they take on a life of their own -- you see these -- situations develop like that there's no telling what's gonna happen.

Give up before the protests and me for going back the Arab Spring that was about getting rid of dictators.

This is about hate for America.

We but I'm talking about crowd situations like that and again as I said I don't think these groups are representative I think we've got what we've got to hope now.

Is that these governments can bring these situations under control and then I think what they need is they need our support.

In building strong institutions in their countries so that they can come to grips with that many pressing.

Social and economic problems that their countries face meanwhile we're gonna have to get through.

What I think is undeniably going to be a very rough patch and just hope.

That it doesn't spin completely out of control.

Right now that president's got to make a decision do we just go after these guys in Libya like we went after bin Laden -- we do we let the Libyans oh lead in that.

Well.

Yeah but that your question -- your comment presupposes that we know exactly what -- I think that what we got to do first is let this situation be investigated I heard that some FBI agents we're going over there I think.

The diplomatic security bureau in the State Department has got to undertake a formal a formal and Vick investigation of how attack happened that Chris Stevens was killed before we have those facts.

I think it would be jumping to conclusion writes I've hit -- ball I think we gotta be calm about this situation.

Absolutely the president United States did a couple of interviews yesterday one with that sixty minutes one with telemundo as well when asked about Egypt.

And of course that's where the embassy is -- NN what some have characterized as apology note to the protesters.

The president says that the Muslim Brotherhood there that runs a country.

Not an ally but then again not an enemy -- play the sound -- -- and then -- reaction.

And would you consider the current Egyptian regime and ally of the United States -- He I don't think that we would consider them an -- but we don't consider them an enemy they they are new government that is trying to find its way.

They were democratically elected.

I think that we are gonna have to see how they respond to this incident.

How they respond to for example maintaining the peace treaty -- -- would Israel can.

So far at least what we've seen is that in some cases they've said the right things and taken the right steps.

So they haven't they waited 24 hours even to condemn the riots -- -- why we're pretending like that's an adequate response.

Well in the formal sense of course they're not an ally they're not an ally like the NATO countries are Japan or South Korea or Australia.

But what is critical and the president hit that point.

Is that they've got this peace treaty with Israel they recognize the Government of Israel -- exchanged diplomatic missions -- Israel and we've got to.

Encourage that situation to continue I think the biggest set that that could be suffered by United States policy.

Would be if for some reason they were a rupture.

In the relationship between Egypt and is -- -- center as it happens that you would still write to billion dollar check to them.

Well -- yeah if you put it I wouldn't put it that simply I think where they need our continued engagement and support it it would be counterproductive.

In my view.

To disengage from Egypt at this critical time that this is a time when a country going through a stressful situation like that.

Needs friends and support from the international community including ourselves who have always played in the last thirty years and extremely important.

Roll.

In that part of the world.

Mr.

-- what's the relationship between the United States advising Egypt on hotter on how to act and that money.

So in other words -- from giving that much money do we have a say.

In what they end up doing.

Well we certainly have in the past we've had an influence with their military we've had an influence in.

Various kinds of assistance programs.

That we've carried out with respect to the rule of law and so forth.

But again -- we said earlier we're going through a particularly difficult period this isn't.

Of a timed make major decisions to.

Alter our policies in drastic ways I think we've got -- we've got a tough this one out jam it in but we have to make a decision to bolster our security in all our embassy -- -- -- that correct.

Well of course we've got to secure our embassies and where we can't secure them.

Because the host country does not live up to its responsibilities that at some point -- -- we have to look at other options like.

For example in Ben -- at the moment our consulate general has been shuttered or has been abandoned.

There's that that it's the host government that's responsible for providing security duties.

Embassies and they've got to live up to that.

Sure and I believe but later today in the US congress is gonna vote on whether or not to extend another twenty million dollars for the country -- -- But it looks as if they're gonna get my agenda her Ponte we thank you very much unique perspective that you should know what's going on over there thank you sir -- fine thank you.

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