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CNN Live At Daybreak

Annan Calls For Peace At Arab Summit

Aired March 27, 2002 - 06:03   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go back to the Beirut summit now. For more on what's been going on there -- Kofi Annan just wrapped up his speech to the Arab leaders -- our Brent Sadler is live at the summit right now.

Kofi Annan had some tough words.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed, Carol. He called on Arab nations to unite behind the Saudi peace plan and to -- quote -- "Come to terms once and for all with Israel's right to exist in peace and security." Mr. Annan said that Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon had a responsibility to reaffirm the strategic choice for peace. He said they had a duty to lead their peoples back from the brink. He said that the Saudi initiative was compelling, providing the foundation for the Arab leaders here in Beirut to put forward, to propel if you like, this idea, this vision of exchanging land for peace, Israel to withdraw from land occupied since 1967 in exchange for full Arab relations with Israel.

Now, in terms of harsh words from the secretary general of the United Nations, he said that the long Israeli occupation must end. Also there must be an improvement in what he described as the unbearable living standards for Palestinians. At the same time, he said that Israel had the right to live in peace, free from terror, with full recognition from the Arab world. And he said it was up to the Arab leadership gathered here in Beirut to make sure they reaffirmed that principle.

Kofi Annan also said in addition to ending the occupation, there should be a stop in settlement activity, and there must be the establishment of a state of Palestine. But at the same time, he also said that he expected to see Arab leaders condemn extremist acts of violence, particularly suicide bombings, which he described as morally repugnant.

Now, not attending this summit, of course, Yasser Arafat, who is expected, as we heard from Michael Holmes, to speak through a live video link-up. Also not here, another key player in Middle East peacemaking, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, as well as another key Middle East player, Jordan's King Abdullah not here.

Nevertheless, the assembled heads of state that are here from the Arab League, will press ahead and are expected to universally adopt this Saudi peace initiative, and will then want to see that propelled into the international community -- back to you, Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll see what happens -- thank you, Brent Sadler, reporting live for us from Beirut this morning.

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