U.S. to Americans: Don't Go to Pakistan; Protecting U.S. Diplomats
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And you're in the SITUATION ROOM. Happening now, violent clashes near the United States embassy in Pakistan amid stepped up protests over an anti-Islamic film. A stepped up U.S. warning about a key U.S. American ally as well. And did the United States take the proper precautions to guard its diplomats in Libya? The state department answering accusations from Libyans and harsh criticism from lawmakers. Plus, Bill Clinton talks about the future in the latest issue of "Time" magazine. Is he also hinting a little bit about a possible Hillary Clinton presidential run in 2016? We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in the SITUATION ROOM.</s>BLITZER: Anti-American protests and violent clashes as rioters try to reach the United States embassy, this time, the location, in Pakistan, a key U.S. ally. And the violence comes as the United States steps up a warning to Americans. In just a minute, I'll speak with the foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar. But first, let's go to the capital, Islamabad. And Reza Sayah is joining us now from Islamabad. Reza, extraordinary measures once again being given right now. What's the latest as far as Americans and Pakistan are concerned?</s>REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, just to be clear, this is a renewal or a reminder of a longstanding travel warning that's been in place in Pakistan for a long time right now. The U.S. embassy, the U.S. state department telling Americans, if you don't need to come to Pakistan, do not do it. Essential travel only. But the fact that they're reminding Americans of this warning is a sign of growing tensions. That warning follows more anti-American protests in the federal capital of Islamabad today. It's critical to point out that despite the dramatic pictures and the violence, this was a relatively small protest. 1,500 demonstrators approached the diplomatic enclave. This is a walled compound, a highly secured compound, where you'll find the U.S. embassy, the French embassy, and the other embassies. It's an incredibly difficult place to penetrate, even so these protesters tried to do it. Once they got there, the clashes started. Protesters throwing objects, rocks, sticks. Police responding by firing teargas and shots in the air. Protesters managed to burn several of the small police check posts. Eight police officers were injured according to the police chief. But again, we can't repeat enough. There's 180 million Pakistanis. This was 1,500, a very, very small fraction, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Tell us, Reza, about the latest U.S. efforts to communicate directly with the Pakistani people.</s>SAYAH: Obviously, the U.S. government is concerned about the rising tensions. They want to do everything to ease the anger. That's why they bought a lot of ad time on FM radio, television, to air PSA, the PSAs, where the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, condemning the anti-Islam video. The PSAs are subtitled and/or do we have a clip. Let's take a look.</s>BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since our founding the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.</s>HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: Let me state very clearly. And I hope it is obvious that the United States government had absolutely nothing to do with this video. We absolutely reject its content and message. America's commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation.</s>SAYAH: Secretary of state Hillary Clinton and U.S. president, Barack Obama in a PSA condemning the anti-Islam video in an effort to ease the anger here. Will it work? We'll find out tomorrow, Wolf, when more protests are scheduled.</s>BLITZER: Big ones, indeed. All right. Reza Sayah on the scene for us in Islamabad. Thanks very much. Let's dig a little bit deeper now with the foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar is here, foreign minister, thanks very much for coming in.</s>HINA RABBANI KHAR, PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: The state department issued this strong travel warning to all Americans, as you just heard from Reza. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and westerners are known to congregate or visit. Terrorists have disguised themselves as Pakistani security personnel to gain access to targeted areas. Are you agreeing with the state department that this is a bad time for Americans to visit Pakistan?</s>KHAR: Wolf, I think if you look at how -- what sort of a response there was in Pakistan to the condemning of the video that Secretary Clinton and President Obama have already condemned, which I think is, of course, the right thing to do --</s>BLITZER: That stupid 14-minute trailer that's out there on the internet that's causing this kind of --</s>KHAR: Exactly, which is a threat to religious harmony, and therefore, a threat --</s>BLITZER: And I want to get to that. Why it's such a threat, because it is so idiotic. It is so stupid. But, is it bad for Americans to visit Pakistan right now?</s>KHAR: Wolf, as I said, I think in Pakistan, the situation has been much better than in many other countries. We were the first countries which condemn the killing of your ambassador in Libya. And we give call to restraint. We will have, Insha'Allah, holiday tomorrow in order to make sure that everything passes by peacefully.</s>BLITZER: Because I'm worried about that. The Pakistani government has declared Friday what you're calling a national holiday to honor the Prophet Muhammad. I assume there are going to be massive demonstrations on the streets of Islamabad, Karachi, other cities in Pakistan that could potentially, let's hope they don't, turn into anti-American violence. How worried are you about that? And why are you doing this in response to this stupid 14-minute trailer?</s>KHAR: You have to respond to sentiments as they show on the street. I think the best response was the call for holiday, and your system might be very different. But in our system means very different.</s>BLITZER: Because it seems to be encouraging people to go out in the streets.</s>KHAR: Absolutely not. It will make sure that if people do get together which in a peaceful manner and make sure that those people who are trying to get to offices and schools do not come into harm's way.</s>BLITZER: Because I've been to that U.S. embassy in Islamabad. You've been there as well. It's a fortress. Are you beefing up -- as the host country -- protection of American diplomats there?</s>KHAR: Wolf, we already have done a pretty good job at it. And we actually called in the army in a small section of the city also. So, I think, so far, things have gone well. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that we will be able to manage this.</s>BLITZER: I had this exchange with Professor Fouad Ajami yesterday here in the SITUATION ROOM. We're talking about long-term. Is this going to get better, this relationship between America and the Muslim and Arab world? Listen to this exchange.</s>BLITZER: Bottom line, is this ever going to get better?</s>FOUAD AJAMI, SENIOR FELLOW, HOOVER INSTITUTION: No. Not really is the honest answer. I mean, I think when you have these kinds -- when you have these positions are so sharply drawn, we believe in the west. We believe in the western tradition, and that can (ph) in a free speech.</s>BLITZER: You agree with Professor Ajami?</s>KHAR: I hope not. I hope it does get there.</s>BLITZER: As someone who's educated here in the United States, obviously, the foreign minister of Pakistan, do you see this ever getting better?</s>KHAR: I see that this certainly can get better. And I think what we need is more tolerance for each other's views. What we need is to be able to give mutual space for us to be able to demonstrate what is culturally, religiously important to us and not to hold each other -- you know, not to judge each other for that. To give that space and to be able to create some space for ourselves. And really, Wolf, I think we have to be sensitive to religious sensitivities. I think it's not good enough to say it's free speech, it should be allowed. I think if this does provoke action against American citizens or Americans anywhere else in the world, then maybe we do need to rethink how much freedom is OK. Is freedom to the extent of harming lives also OK? So, I think we need to find a way to manage this in a civilized manner in trying to bring all of our, you know, all of our minds together.</s>BLITZER: Because you know, there's plenty of ugly things that are said about other religions in the Arab and Muslim world, whether Christians or Jews. You hear awful things. But you don't see massive demonstrations. You don't see violence emerging as a result of that.</s>KHAR: Well, I don't want to get deeper into that discussion, because I quite frankly think that in Islam, there is a lot of respect for both Judaism and Christianity. Koran, itself, has a lot of respect. And that's why this is why I think this is a common battle because Islam is a religion of peace. Prophet Muhammad's life is a life of peace. He is called the messenger of peace, for instance. So, this is very different than the Islam that just</s>BLITZER: You're here in Washington. I assume you'll be meeting with members of Congress and others. Yesterday, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was here in the SITUATION ROOM. He says he's going to withhold any additional U.S. aid to Pakistan until you free that doctor who was arrested in connection with the Bin Laden killing in Abbottabad. When you hear that kind of stuff, what are you going to do?</s>KHAR: I had a long session with the Foreign Relations Committee, and we are hopeful that we will be able to build on the relationship rather than break it. And, Wolf, let me really take this opportunity and thank you for giving it to me to see that how can we betterize (ph) a person who was up for hire by anyone, including</s>BLITZER: But if he was trying to help the United States killed bin laden --</s>KHAR: Let me categorically tell you, he did not know that he was on this grand mission to get OBL. Getting OBL was as much part of our plans and our effort as it was yours. So, this is not what divides us. OBL unites us. Osama Bin Laden is a common enemy. Terrorism is a common enemy. Your people are dying, our people are dying even more than yours. So, these are all things why unite us. Why do we portray them to be things that, you know, where we disagree? These are points of agreement. So, please let due process is going on in Pakistan. We should all have respect for the rule of law. We should allow the process to run course. And we should not make heroes out of people who don't deserve to be that.</s>BLITZER: So, as far as the Pakistani government is concerned and you're the foreign minister, he's going to spend the next 30 plus years in jail?</s>KHAR: No. As far as the Pakistani government is concerned, the due process of law will go through and we will all be patient to see what comes out of it.</s>BLITZER: On that note, I'll thank you, foreign minister, for coming. Good to see you again here in Washington. Last time we met was at the United Nations.</s>KHAR: I remember.</s>BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.</s>KHAR: Thank you.</s>BLITZER: The White House declares the attack on United States consulate in Libya a terrorist attack. Could it have been stopped, though? We have the latest on the investigation what U.S. officials are now admitting. But, first, tough questions for the president as he takes his campaign to Florida to court Latinos.