24 (TV Series)

Day 6: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (2007)

Alexander Siddig: Hamri Al-Assad

Photos 

Quotes 

• President Wayne Palmer : [Shaking hands]  it's good to see you again sir

  Ambassador : First, allow me to express my country's shock and deep regret over the devastating attack in California

  President Wayne Palmer : Thank you sir

  Ambassador : Any assistance you require, you need only ask

  President Wayne Palmer : I'm asking you now sir: that's why your here. I believe you know Hamri Al-Assad

  Hamri Al-Assad : [Greeting him]  Mr. Ambassador

  Ambassador : [to Palmer]  I have never met Mr. Assad in person but I know him by reputation. His organization has carried out repeated terrorist actions against my country

  Hamri Al-Assad : [to the Ambassador]  your own policies precipitated those actions

  Ambassador : That's your justification for killing innocent people?

  Hamri Al-Assad : You and I define "innocent" in different ways

  Ambassador : My own Deputy lost his seven year old son in one of your bombings: that is how I define "innocent"

  President Wayne Palmer : [to the Ambassador]  we are not here to "air" past differences

  Ambassador : Then why are we here?

  President Wayne Palmer : In our last meeting I informed you we were in contact with Assad. You told me it was a positive step towards peace

  Ambassador : And I meant it at that time but I must confess, after the last attack, I didn't expect you to be in the same room with... him and I'm not so sure I care to remain here either

  Hamri Al-Assad : [Sarcastically]  it is no more pleasant for me, your "Excellency"

  President Wayne Palmer : [to Assad]  would you give us a moment?

  Hamri Al-Assad : [Before walking away]  certainly

  President Wayne Palmer : Assad is here because of the attack, to be friends sir, we have three more nuclear weapons loose in my country in the hands of terrorists

  Ambassador : We didn't know that

  President Wayne Palmer : In less than one hour, Assad is going on national television and issue a statement: it will be a global appeal to extremists. Now he's going to urge them to put down their arms and engage in peaceful negotiations with the west. We are hoping to compel to someone to come forward with any information regarding those nuclear weapons

  Ambassador : A petition like this, coming from Assad, it could have a profound effect

  President Wayne Palmer : We're counting on that

  Ambassador : What'd you need from us?

  President Wayne Palmer : I want a statement of support from your Prime Minister and I want it to fall right on the heels of Assad's

  Ambassador : Mr. Assad is a polarizing figure in my country: a public endorsement of him could have grave political consequences for the Prime Minister

  President Wayne Palmer : Then you tell your Prime Minister we have a carrier group operating less than twenty five miles off your shores. My advisors are "pressing" me hard for military response, so if we are attacked again, I won't be able to hold them off

  Ambassador : This is sounding like an ultimatum

  President Wayne Palmer : This is not an ultimatum, I'm merely pointing out the fact that neither the Prime Minister nor I have the "luxury" of worrying about the consequences on a day like today. I am putting my Presidency on the line so please stop handing me excuses. Get on the phone and make this happen