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CNN Live Today
Arafat's Absence in Beirut Could Change Atmosphere Dramatically
Aired March 26, 2002 - 14:04 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: Going to move on now to the Middle East. Certainly that is gathering a lot of attention from us today, and certainly attention all around the world for that matter. The prime minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon, saying now the conditions are "not yet right," his words, "not yet right" for Palestinian chief Yasser Arafat to head to the Arab summit in Beirut that starts tomorrow, set to begin in about 24 hours' time, in fact.
Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, has refused to attend as well, and as CNN's Rula Amin reports, some in the Arab world are suggesting Arafat should not go even if Israel doesn't grant permission for his traveling. Here is Rula Amin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the appeals to let Yasser Arafat out of Ramallah increase, in Beirut, more and more people say Arafat should actually stay put in Ramallah.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is better for him to stay with his people, not to be liberated by Sharon or Cheney.
AMIN: Even the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, says he advises Yasser Arafat not to come to Beirut.
AHMAD MAHER, EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The Israelis have been playing games with this matter of whether Arafat would attend. They were trying to impose conditions, unacceptable conditions, and the honorable way is for Arafat to say that he is not coming, because it does not depend on the decisions of the Israelis, which is illegal, which is unjustified, and Arafat, whether he comes or not, will be represented by all the rest of the Arab states.
AMIN: Israeli officials say Yasser Arafat can leave only after he agrees to a cease-fire and has met the conditions Israel has set.
TALAL SALMAN, "AL-SAFIR" NEWSPAPER (through translator): In the light of the all the pressures applied on the Palestinians and Yasser Arafat, we wish that he wouldn't come to the summit, because if he does, it would look like Arafat had achieved a victory by coming here, and the next step would be to ask the Palestinian fighters to silence their guns. AMIN: In the Arab world, where there is overwhelming support for the Palestinian intifada to continue, a concern: Arab leaders may sell out by pressuring Yasser Arafat to end the intifada, or compromise on the right of Palestinian refugees. Concern, also, amongst these Palestinian refugees at Shatila refugee camp in Beirut.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he came unconditionally, yes, it is a victory. But, if he has to pay a political price for that, it's not a victory, it's a defeat.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In my opinion, it is better for him to remain in Palestine.
AMIN: Others are hoping Arafat will be able to return to Beirut without conditions, 20 years after he was driven from the city by Israeli forces, then led by Defense Minister Ariel Sharon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): That would be the biggest victory. After being forced out, he will be coming back as a president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): He's more than welcome. We will receive him with honor and venerate him.
AMIN (on camera): Even in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, more than 45 percent of Palestinians say they don't want Yasser Arafat to come to Beirut, according to one local poll, concerned what political price Yasser Arafat would have to pay in order to get here, also worried Ariel Sharon may not allow Yasser Arafat to return to Ramallah.
Rula Amin, CNN, Beirut.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Certainly a lot of attention for the White House focused on the Middle East matter. Kelly Wallace back with us now after that briefing about an hour ago with Ari Fleischer, you directing certain questions at Ari, Kelly, specifically about whether or not it could hurt the Israeli cause if Arafat does not show. Good afternoon again to you.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you.
Definitely, because you know, Bill, publicly and privately this administration has been encouraging -- even putting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to allow Yasser Arafat to go to that summit. U.S. officials believe that if he goes, it could be a positive development on this summit, it could change the atmosphere, and clearly they're saying, privately -- Ari would not say this at the podium -- they are saying privately, they are concerned that if Arafat is not able to go to that summit, that could change the atmosphere.
The focus could then be on the fact that Arafat is not there. That could lead to criticism of Israeli policies, and really could prevent the Arab leaders from focusing on ways to move forward.
You did hear Fleischer, though, say that the president is hoping even if Arafat does not go, that these Arab leaders will not lose an opportunity, in his view, to really move forward and discuss that Saudi Arabian initiative, which basically calls for Arab allies to have relations with Israel in exchange for Israel withdrawing to the borders which existed before the 1967 war -- Bill.
HEMMER: Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace at the White House.
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