Secretary Colin L. Powell ABC Good Morning America Christopher Cuomo

Interview on ABC's Good Morning America With Christopher Cuomo

Secretary Colin L. Powell Washington, DC December 28, 2004 (7:07 a.m. EST)

MR. CUOMO: What is the latest information about the status of Americans in the area? And how much is the U.S. doing to help?

SECRETARY POWELL: As best we know right now, 11 Americans have lost their lives, but there are still hundreds of Americans who are unaccounted for and we're doing everything we can to locate them and determine their status. The United States made an initial contribution of some $15 million, $4 million right away to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and another $10 million of assistance to non-governmental and other organizations. In addition, our military authorities in Hawaii have launched nine patrol planes, and another dozen or so C-130s carrying relief supplies.

We'll make an assessment as the days go by to see what else may be needed from us. This is a massive catastrophe. So many countries were struck by this Tsunami. It's rather unprecedented and it will take us a while to make a careful assessment of what is needed, and then we will work with the international community to provide what is needed.

MR. CUOMO: That said, the top United Nations' relief official has said that rich countries like the United States are stingy. You said, we'll do everything we can. Given how rich we are, can't we do more than the few million we have put up so far? Shouldn't we do more?

SECRETARY POWELL: We will do more. I wish that comment hadn't been made. I mean, the world is now responding to this catastrophe. The United States has given more aid in the last four years than any other nation or combination of nations in the world. We had a significant increase in our development assistance and other kinds of assistance and we will do more, but we're still getting an assessment of what is needed and it will take time for that assessment to be made, to see what nations can do for themselves, to see what the specific needs are, and then we'll respond to those needs.

MR. CUOMO: Moving on to another subject, Mr. Secretary. You're aware that many in Iraq believe that January 30th is simply too soon to hold an election, such a security-sensitive event. That being the case, does the Administration have a plan in place if the election is disrupted?

SECRETARY POWELL: Many people might believe that, but I believe most people feel that it is time to have this election. It is an election that is mandated by the United Nations Security Council resolution that set this up. The President and the Prime Minister of the interim government of Iraq want to move forward, and I think people want to have an elected government.

And so, there are security concerns, principally, in the Sunni areas. Most of the country, I think, is ready for an election. What we have to do is concentrate our coalition forces and Iraqi forces, police forces, on the Sunni part of the country in order to create conditions that will allow people to feel comfortable in coming out and registering and participating in the vote.

We're also talking to our friends in the region, the neighboring countries, for them to talk to Sunni leaders and encourage Sunni leaders to get their people to come out and vote, even if there is an element of danger associated with it. This is not the time to let the tyrants and the terrorists take us back to the past, to the days of a Saddam Hussein-type regime. The people of Iraq want their own freely elected government.

MR. CUOMO: Mr. Secretary, one of New York's favorite sons is going to push the button that brings down the big ball right here in Times Square on New Year's Eve. At once, you'll be beginning a new year and ending an era, effectively, as Secretary. As you've said, you plan to leave early next year. Any idea what your emotions will be that night?

SECRETARY POWELL: I've never been to Times Square on New Year's Eve, even though I'm a born and raised New Yorker, and I cannot tell you how honored I am to have been selected to do this and it's going to be so good to be home with millions of people celebrating a new year, millions of people who believe in their city, who believe in their country. And I think I'm just going to be a kid again on New Year's Eve, as I push that button.

MR. CUOMO: Thank you very much for coming on the show and have a Happy New Year, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY POWELL: Same to you, Chris.
2004/1405 [End] Released on December 28, 2004