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CNN Live Today

Administration Watches World Protests Against Israel Policy

Aired April 03, 2002 - 10:17   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as you heard our Brent talking about the involvement of the Bush administration, President Bush certainly has his hands full with the Middle East crisis.

Let's check in with our White House correspondent, Kelly Wallace, who joins us now with more on the view from Washington.

Kelly, the administration has to be watching these pictures coming from all over the Middle East and the world.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Daryn. The administration certainly keeping a close eye on those protests -- more and more concern about the administration and its handling of the Middle East crisis. Secretary of State Colin Powell likely to get an earful, in fact, when he meets later on this day with Arab-American leaders from the United States. We know that many Arab-Americans in the United States very critical of the administration's handling, saying it is very pro-Israel.

But also, Daryn, there is this sort of growing call, not just from Arab-Americans, not just Arab allies, even from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and former Clinton administration officials, that the administration needs to come forward with some new initiatives, or perhaps linking those cease-fire negotiations with some discussions of the political issues, borders, refugees. The thinking being that the Palestinians won't really have any desire or interest in discussing cease-fire negotiations as these Israeli raids continue, unless there is some discussion of those political issues.

Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary, talking to reporters a short time ago saying, you know, the White House is not against discussing both at the same time, but the administration continues to believe that really until have you a cease-fire, any discussions of these political issues would be very, very difficult.

Now, as for President Bush, we saw him, of course, yesterday in Pennsylvania. We saw him arriving back last night at Andrews Air Force Base. It was interesting, because earlier in the day, Mr. Bush ignored reporters' questions about the Middle East. Lots of reporters asking the president about criticism of his administration's handling of the crisis. Mr. Bush refusing to answer those questions, but a bit later during a fund-raiser in Philadelphia, the president did talk about the Middle East. He put forward his vision for the Middle East. He looked forward to seeing an Israeli state and a Palestinian state living peacefully side by side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I appreciate the fact that Saudi Arabia spoke clearly about the need for Israel to be able to have normal relations with its neighbors, so that Israeli boys and girls can grow up in a peaceful society. I feel the same thing about the Palestinians. I hope that they can have their own peaceful state at peace with their neighbor, Israel, a self-governing country, a country in which there is economic prosperity today, and the hopelessness of many of the citizens who live there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But at the same time, Fleischer publicly, at the podium here just a short time ago, continuing to say, when asked about the Israeli raids were to continue, continuing to say that the administration believes that Israel has a right to defend itself from acts of terror. But at the same time the message coming from this White House is that Israel must know that one day, there has to be a movement towards the peace process -- that any steps Israel or the Palestinians take will have consequences. And they need to be thinking about that -- Daryn back to you.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace at the White House -- Kelly, thank you very much.

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