Interviewer: Ambassador, thank you very much for being with us. The topic of the day is obviously Zarqawi. We now know that Zarqawi survived the initial bombing. What can you tell us about those moments, ambassador?
Amb. Negroponte: I can’t tell you the details about it. I think you would have to contact our military authorities, right, in respect to those details.
Interviewer: But you can confirm that he was alive?
Amb. Negroponte: I can’t, can’t comment on that. It’s really a question that is better asked of the Pentagon.
Interviewer: What can you tell us, ambassador, of what you can say, about the role of intelligence, the importance of intelligence to get to Zarqawi?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, I think in this type of situation, when dealing with the war against terrorism, intelligence plays a very important role, the human intelligence, human sources or technical intelligence. But I think that various elements, various aspects of intelligence contribute, contributed to the capture of Mr. Zarqawi.
Interviewer: On several occasions, the intelligence services were criticized because they did not have “human intelligence”, meaning spies of flesh and blood. Is this a success for this area of intelligence?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, we normally don’t want to comment on exactly which aspect of intelligence contributed to any specific success because that can jeopardize our sources, right? But I what I can confirm for you, I can tell you, is that it has to do with integrated efforts from various elements, from various aspects of our technical, human and other intelligence.
Interviewer: We’ve heard that there was a military group that was following al Zarqawi for several months.
Amb. Negroponte: Uh huh.
Interviewer: Can you give us some information about how this type of operation functions, to follow a person like him?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, in detail no, but in general terms yes. What I can tell you is that in a conflict zone against terrorism as in Iraq or Afghanistan, military elements and our civil intelligence cooperate to detect, follow and eventually, capture or put out of commission this type of terror, terrorist. It’s work that requires time, patience, but it was demonstrated in this case, that in the end, all those efforts represent an enormous investment of intelligence resources, military resources, and there were results.
Interviewer: Why is it so important to have eliminated Zarqawi?
Amb. Negroponte: Because he was the figure, right, of Al Qaeda, of the extremism of a terrorist extremist in Iraq. I think he was the most important symbol for the Al Qaeda terrorists and I think for them the loss of Zarqawi is a very big blow.
Interviewer: Why?
Amb. Negroponte: Because in the first place, the symbol died. Secondly, he was the leader of this group. And thirdly, I think this should have a demoralizing effect on the other followers of the movement.
Interviewer: Do you think there could be an increase in violence to revenge the death of Zarqawi, both in Iraq and other places?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, there always can be a reaction, but basically I think that it is a very important loss, very heavy for them, very significant.
Interviewer: We have heard from various sources that the next leader of Al Qaeda has already been named, if that can be said; named Abu al-Masri, an Egyptian. What can you tell us about this person?
Amb. Negroponte: No, I wouldn’t be able to say, no, no, I haven’t had time to confirm if they have named a new leader or review a biography or anything of the sort. But, well, we are going to have to wait a little to evaluate how the situation of Al Qaeda leadership in Iraq will turn out after the death of Al Zarqawi.
Interviewer: In the attack against Al Zarqawi, there were also more arrests, with raids in other places, where arms were apprehended and other things. Have you obtained important intelligence to fight harder against terrorism?
Amb. Negroponte: I hope so. We are waiting for the results, But I hope so. And sometimes when there is such an important achievement like the death of Zarqawi, the possibility is always to follow that achievement to do more to capture more people or get more information.
Interviewer: The President praised the military and the members of the intelligence today for the death of al Zarqawi. After everything that has happened with so much criticism in the past against the intelligence services, does this make you personally feel good that they are achieving results?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, of course, of course. This makes us feel good. We are proud of the makeup of the intelligence and military elements who have achieved this, this success, but we aren’t complacent because we know that there is much more for us to do, that the death of Zarqawi does not mean the end of terrorism and the insurgence of Iraq and we are going to have to continue in this fight against terrorism.
Interviewer: Are you having more success now infiltrating terrorist networks?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, it has been five years since the events of, of September 2001. Obviously with all the investment we have made, all the efforts in this war, it’s natural, it’s logical, that today we are in a better position from this point of view.
Interviewer: After a successful operation such as with Zarqawi, are we closer to getting Bin Laden?
Amb. Negroponte: I hope, I hope so. What I can say in regards to Bin Laden is that he doesn’t have the freedom of movement he had, living in a very reduced zone between the border zone between Pakistan and Afghanistan and many of the associates of Bin Lad, Bin Laden that were around in 2001 have been captured or killed.
Interviewer: Are we closer to getting him?
Amb. Negroponte: As I said, I hope. You never know when that will happen. But what I can tell you is that we have captured or put out of commission many of his lieutenants, right, or colleagues and so, we hope we are getting closer to Bin, Bin Laden himself.
Interviewer: Ambassador, switching topic a bit, is there much focus on the southern border of the United States with Mexico for the whole issue of immigration? Some people have said that Al Qaeda or terrorist groups could try to infiltrate terrorists, however, but we see that, cases like the last week in Canada, which maybe tells us that the danger is in Canada. Are we perhaps watching the wrong border, because the border with Canada is even longer border than that with Mexico, and with very little security?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, we have, with both countries, we have a very, very, excellent collaboration in regards to our borders and in terms of security and intelligence. Speaking about Canada, we have a very close relationship with the intelligence services and we feel, we congratulate, we praise the Canadians for discovering this terrorist network in their country the other day. We think this demonstrates an excellent example of the value of vigilance that our neighbors to the north are exercising.
Interviewer: Are you worried that Al Qaeda can send terrorists through Mexico?
Amb. Negroponte: Oh, yes. I wouldn’t say it’s a great concern. I don’t think there have been cases in the past, but we can’t be complacent either in respect to any of our borders. And I also know that the Mexicans aren’t complacent either and are following the situation very closely.
Interviewer: Is there any evidence that Al Qaeda has a presence in any place in Latin America?
Amb. Negroponte: I would say, rather, there is evidence of groups, other terrorist groups, like Hamas or Hezbollah with a presence in some Latin countries but to my knowledge, in respect to recent information, I am not aware of a direct threat from Al Qaeda.
Interviewer: Does it worry you that these organizations have a presence in Latin America?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, it is always a concern, but like I said, we don’t have information at this time about any specific threat.
Interviewer: It has been said very often that the tri country border of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina has many radical organizations. What about that?
Amb. Negroponte: Above all there is Hamas and Hezbollah, which are, as you know, groups with origins in Israel, and Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories.
Interviewer: So they do have presence in this zone?
Amb. Negroponte: Yes, there is a presence, they raise money... they receive money. I don’t know if they recently have, have committed a terrorist act, but yes, they are there, they have a presence and to my understanding they are seeking money.
Interviewer: Switching topics a little and going to another that is very polemic, Venezuela. The Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused the United States of trying to assassinate him. What would you say to that?
Amb. Negroponte: That it’s ridiculous, it’s incorrect. It makes no sense.
Interviewer: He also says they are preparing an invasion of Venezuela.
Amb. Negroponte: (Chuckles) I would say the same again… That they are laughable accusations… ha, ha.
Interviewer: He has had and has a very tough rhetoric against members of this administration including personally against the President and Mrs. Condoleeza Rice. Why do you think that is happening? How would you describe President Chavez?
Amb. Negroponte: I don’t, it is not for me to explain why Mr. Chavez makes the statements he makes, maybe it’s better for you to ask him directly.
Interviewer: Some people say he is puppet of Castro. What would you say?
Amb. Negroponte: I don’t know if he is a puppet, but it’s obvious, it’s evident, that the two have a very cordial personal relationship. -… I’ve noticed they exchange visits very often. I think it is clear they are friends and they have close ties.
Interviewer: Chavez has tried to expand his ideology now, but now in Peru, we can say, his candidate, the person who supported him, clearly lost. Could this be the end of the sympathy for Chavez in Latin America?
Amb. Negroponte: I wouldn’t know if, well, if his influence has reached its end, of maybe from now on maybe it will start to diminish…it’s a possibility but I have had the same impression as you that in many countries of Latin America, they don’t appreciate the interventions of Venezuela in their political life.
Interviewer: Do you think if Venezuela, if everything stays the same in Venezuela, it could start becoming a new Cuba?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, I hope not. I don’t think it would be desirable, neither Venezuela nor the hemisphere.
Interviewer: Do you think that is Chavez’s objective?
Amb. Negroponte: No, I wouldn’t know to tell you. I have read a little, I have studied a little of his thesis of Boliviarianism but I don’t understand what he is trying to accomplish…
Interviewer: Returning to a new Cuba…
Interviewer: What do we know about Fidel Castro’s health, Ambassador?
Amb. Negroponte: That is, I have had the experience of trying to guess the state of health of a leader or another and that is something that brings…that is an exercise that can bring much risk….it is difficult to guess… We don’t have the information…
Interviewer: Very well. Secretary Powell, Ex Secretary Powell, in an interview said to me that Cuba had dual material. We would say double, right? Which could, for pharmaceutical use that could be used for the creation of biological weapons. Do you share that view and is there evidence of it?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, any other country has, say, chemical programs or biological programs or programs that investigate in biotechnology, for example, has this type of dual material which could be used for positive or negative effects, negative, but I don’t have any…I haven’t seen any evidence that Cuba is developing biological weapons.
Interviewer: Do you think that Cuba is still a threat for the security of the United States? In the end, it is on the list of terrorist countries.
Amb. Negroponte: No, no, I don’t think Cuba can be a direct threat to the United States, but neither is it a friend to democracy in this hemisphere.
Interviewer: Speaking about threats, an ex-military, an ex-General named Rafael del Pino, when he defected to the United States in eighty-seven and claimed that Fidel Castro had ordered him to program the combat missiles to take out a nuclear center in South Florida in case there were a crisis between the United States and Cuba. Do you give credence to those words? Does this plan exist?
Amb. Negroponte: No, I couldn’t tell you. I really cannot comment, but as I told you before, you asked me if I thought Cuba was a threat to the national security of the United States, and I, my answer is that Cuba cannot be a threat to our global security.
Interviewer: What topics, Ambassador, from Latin America, or countries call more of your attention, concern you more and for what reasons, in respect to national security?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, primarily Colombia because of the situation with the fight of the government against FAC and the elements, the insurgents in the country and I think that the fact that President Uribe was reelected, I think that is a relief, it is a positive factor in this fight, but Colombia has our full support, in, in their fight to re- … stabilize the country and eliminating the sources of [inaudible].
Interviewer: Does Bolivia concern you?
Amb. Negroponte: The political situation, yes, in the sense that I hope they choose a path that still allows foreign investment, that accepts the principals of the free market and that, that it stays open to political diversity that characterizes a democracy.
Interviewer: Well, I am going to ask you some questions in English, please…
Amb. Negroponte: Sure!
Interviewer: Only… only two or four questions…
Amb. Negroponte: Only three. You said two or three… (laughs)
Interviewer: (Laughs) And four…. Excuse me… (laughs)
Amb. Negroponte: Only four…
Interviewer: The English of the Spaniards is perfect, isn’t it?
Amb. Negroponte: No it is not perfect… But it’s okay
Interviewer: No mistakes, very good.
Amb. Negroponte: No mistakes… Well, you’re very kind. You’re a very good grader. I’ll take your course any time.
Interviewer: Ready?
Amb. Negroponte: Ready.
Interviewer: That’s for, for, for NBC… Do you worry that Al Qaeda will attack, -, to prove this is still powerful after Zarqawi’s death?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, I don’t know what kind of reaction they will have. It is possible that they will try to show their strength in the wake of the loss of Zarqawi. What I will say is that this has been a real blow for the international terrorist movement in Iraq. This has been a real boost for our side.
Interviewer: Do you think that they will try to attack here in USA?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, they’ve always, ever since 9/11 they’ve always had the ambition and they have, from time to time, engaged in planning to try an attack in the United States again but I think it is more likely that any kind of activities on their part are more likely to take place in such areas as Iraq, Afghanistan and perhaps other locations in the world. That’s more likely than here in the United States.
Interviewer: Now that Zarqawi is dead… What are the chances of getting Osama Bin Laden?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, I think that the killing of Zarqawi is an example of the kind of success that can be obtained through, hard work, collecting intelligence and excellent cooperation between the various elements, military and civilian and coalition partners, and it is that same kind of effort that ah hopefully in due course will lead to, to a similar outcome with respect to Mr. Bin Laden.
Interviewer: How would you describe, sir, about the role of the US Intelligence Service in getting Zarqawi?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, intelligence was one of the important elements that resulted in the killing of Mr. Zarqawi. But I would say that probably one of the most important thing is the integration of all these elements. The fact that there were several different intelligence disciplines that were involved, and that there was an extremely close cooperation between intelligence and the military operators and all these elements integrated together is what led to the success.
Interviewer: Is there anything, sir, that you can you tell us about the alleged new leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq on [inaudible]?
Amb. Negroponte: I think it is too early to say. I am not certain that it is absolutely confirmed yet who the new leader will be, but, and I’m sure we will have something to say once, once we know for certain who it is.
Interviewer: Thank you very much.
Amb. Negroponte: Thank you.
Interviewer: Other topics please.
Interviewer: So Colombia is what worries you most in Latin America?
Amb. Negroponte: Well, perhaps that is where there is the most conflict in that sense, the other would be the threat of Venezuela, or populism and of this type of leftist populism for the democratic movement, it is a type of…but it is a political threat more than security more or less.
Interviewer: And the threat that Al Qaeda may try to enter through Mexico is that feasible, or…?
Amb. Negroponte: It’s feasible, they, I didn’t think about that when you asked me, they prefer to enter in any country legally instead of illegally. That is why they make such a mark in Europe because that is where there are people from third and second generations that have European papers and easily are able to enter into other countries, and that is the type of terrorist they prefer to recruit if they can.
Interviewer: Very good, it’s a pleasure, Ambassador, and a pleasure seeing you.
Amb. Negroponte: Likewise.
Interviewer: It’s a pleasure.
Amb. Negroponte: And I hope you were able to get some material…
Interviewer: No, of course. Today we’ll do a story today and Monday another.
Amb. Negroponte: It’s a pleasure.
Interviewer: Thank you.