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Possibility of U.S. Action Against Iraq Just One of Topics Between Cheney and Egyptian President

Aired March 13, 2002 - 13:01   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The possibility of U.S. action against Iraq was just one of the topics today between Vice President Dick Cheney and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two leaders also talked about the escalating matter in the Middle East.

Our senior White House correspondent John King now, traveling with the vice president. He has more now in this report from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The escalating violence between the Israelis and Palestinians again dominating the discussions here in Egypt, the second stop of Vice President Cheney's tour throughout the Middle East.

In his meeting with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt today, both leaders voiced a commitment to work together and to work aggressively to try to bring about a cease-fire. In their public remarks after that meeting, the Egyptian leader made clear he believed Israel was overwhelmingly to blame for the latest escalation of the violence, saying its military offensive in the occupied territory must end immediately.

HOSNI MUBARAK, EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT: Israel must clearly understand that the policy of collective punishment, demolition of homes, elimination of Palestinian civil population and its current military offensive in civilian towns and villages cannot be tolerated and must be immediately stopped.

KING: Mr. Cheney refused to answer when asked if he shared President Mubarak's view that Israel should share most of the blame right now, but the vice president did try to allay concerns across the Arab world that the Bush administration has been lopsided in favoring the Israelis during the 18 months of bloodshed. Mr. Cheney saying the ultimate goal right now is a cease-fire. And beyond that, perhaps some day a Palestinian state.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our vision for the Israelis and Palestinians is in two sovereign states able to reside in peace with one another, and the president's made clear that the U.S. vision for that part of the world includes that of a Palestinian homeland as well. KING: The two leaders also discussed the U.S. effort to get the Arab world behind a tougher posture toward Iraq and the government of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Cheney serving notice earlier in the day that the next phase of the war on terrorism will be confronting regimes that have weapons of mass destruction. President Mubarak said he hoped the dispute could be resolved diplomatically, and that he hoped Saddam Hussein will respond to pressure not only from the United States, but from Egypt and other Arab nations, and let United Nations weapons inspectors back in.

Only then, Mr. Mubarak said, should any other options be considered. The vice president of course here trying to sell a U.S. military confrontation.

John King, CNN, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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