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CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

Coalition Building Could Bring Cause for Criticism

Aired September 28, 2001 - 17:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Secretary of State Colin Powell continues building a coalition in the war on terrorism. He met Washington -- in there today, rather, with the foreign minister of Spain. But it was the U.S.'s change of heart about the Sudan that prompted questions from the gallery.

CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel joins us now with more -- Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon Martin.

That's right; Secretary Powell was asked about Sudan following his meeting with the Spanish foreign minister here at the State Department. He was asked about, in particular, why the U.S. had supported lifting certain sanctions, U.N. sanctions, in place against Sudan that was approved at the Security Council. The U.S. deciding not to block it. They didn't vote in favor of it; they abstained.

What we're seeing Martin, in this effort to build an international coalition, is that often cooperation of a variety of countries comes with a price. In the case of Sudan, it's labeled by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism, but today the State Department justifying it's -- what some call a reward to Sudan, saying that, in fact, Sudan has been making many strides in recent months, it's not just something in the last two weeks; and most recently they've arrested a number of suspected terrorist.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We are quite appreciative of actions that Sudan has taken in recent months to respond to the concerns that we have had for a long time with respect to their support of terrorist activities. And especially since the 11th of September they have been rather forthcoming in giving us access to certain individuals within the country, and in taking other actions which demonstrate to us a change in attitude.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOPPEL: Remember, just three years ago the U.S., under the Clinton administration, bombed a Sudanese pharmaceutical plant because it believed -- the U.S. believed -- it had links back to the al Qaeda network. In the words of one official we spoke with today, they're saying the name of the game right now is getting at the terrorists. However, other issues such as Sudan's human rights record; in particular, the way that it supports slavery within its own country will be dealt with, Martin, they say on separate tracks.

SAVIDGE: Andrea, doesn't this open up criticism on the part of the United States, that it's willing to forget the past for some nations as long as they help in the present?

KOPPEL: Well, it certainly does, especially within some in the human rights community who are concerned that as this coalition building continues and as this stretches not only for months, but into years that the U.S. may need to bend some of the rules. Just, for example, in dealing with the Chinese government. For instance, what is the definition of a terrorist? That hasn't exactly been explained. The Chinese say that there are some dissidents who have conducted terrorist acts. That's something that certainly could come into question in the days to come.

SAVIDGE: Andrea Koppel at the State Department, thanks very much.

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