Interview with George Negus, 6PM Program, Network Ten

Subject: Unrest in Egypt

Transcript, E&OE, proof only

1 February 2011

GEORGE NEGUS: Well meanwhile hundreds of Australians remain stranded at, undoubtedly, a chaotic Cairo Airport waiting for flights out of Egypt.

The Gillard government has chartered a Qantas 747 to make a rescue dash to Egypt but it's not scheduled to land until tomorrow local time. And there are growing fears that aircraft arrivals may slow, of course, if the situation in Cairo deteriorates.

Well Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is in the region in the Turkish capital of Ankara. He joined me from there a short time ago.

Mr Rudd, thanks for giving us your time, I realise you're busy, but the criticism here is that maybe it's too little too late where evacuating Australians from Egypt is concerned, that we should have moved earlier. How do you respond to that criticism?

KEVIN RUDD: I think the Australian officials in Cairo have been operating under enormous pressure, that's the first point. Secondly we've been hamstrung by collapse in telecommunications systems. And thirdly, we have taken one extra day to make sure we can register Australians who want to fly out so that our flights are properly used.

We have now 400 people registered for the Qantas flight which is going out and those administrative arrangements are in place.

GEORGE NEGUS: Are we sure that all Australians in Egypt, not just Cairo, are safe at the moment?

KEVIN RUDD: We've got no advice that anyone has been injured, we've got no advice that anyone has been killed. Obviously people there are legitimately frightened and concerned. When people complain for example about aspects of the services they may be receiving from us or from others I understand that because it is a frightening situation to be in.

GEORGE NEGUS: Sure.

KEVIN RUDD: George, you're an experienced journalist, you've been in these sorts of environments before.

GEORGE NEGUS: I understand.

KEVIN RUDD: But each person is being treated - each case is being seriously. We've taken more than 2,100 telephone calls through the consular hotline for Australians seeking to obtain exit, or obtain information about exit from the country.

This is a full-time fully engaged effort by all arms of the Australian Government and with a range of contingency plans further in place.

GEORGE NEGUS: Hosni Mubarak, why doesn't he go now? Do you think he should go now? Because he could end this trouble, this strife in the streets of Cairo right now by jumping, if you like, before he's pushed. Should he go?

KEVIN RUDD: George, I think it's just unwise for foreign political leaders to dictate precisely what should now occur in Egyptian politics in terms of personalities.

What we have said, and what other governments around the world have said is that what Egypt needs to engineer now is major political reform and that message has been registered loud and clear.

GEORGE NEGUS: Do you think that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the 30 year reign, oppressive reign, of Hosni Mubarak?

KEVIN RUDD: I think it is foolish George to publicly predict what might unfold. What we need to do is to be very plain with the Egyptian authorities. Number one, major political reform must occur. Number two, that in dealing with peaceful protest the Egyptian authorities should respond peacefully and not use violence. And number three, of course, attend to the continuing consular challenge which not just us but frankly every other country with people in Egypt at present are wrestling with.

GEORGE NEGUS: Mr Rudd, thanks very much for your time, appreciate it.

KEVIN RUDD: Appreciate it George.

END

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