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CNN Live Today

Yasser Arafat Remains Under Siege in Ramallah

Aired April 04, 2002 - 14:22   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Ramallah, where the Israeli campaign to uproot Palestinian militants began last Friday, Yasser Arafat remains under siege and troops continue to make house-to-house arrests. CNN's Michael Holmes is there with the latest -- Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. Yasser Arafat is right where he has been for the last nearly a week, in his compound at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah. He's in his office building.

We've seen reports that he's in two rooms. I can tell you, from having seen it myself, he's in more than that. He has basically a building in which he can walk around in, four stories. But he is staying in one wing of this building, and on one floor of it.

Now, the news from U.S. president this evening, the initial reaction from the Palestinians. Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, telling us that he expects Yasser Arafat to make some sort of statement this evening. As you said, it's about 9:20 p.m. here. However, we are awaiting that statement should it come.

Saeb Erakat, in the interim, has said -- and I want to quote here from notes -- he says, "I hope George W. Bush realizes that occupation is the highest form of terrorism," referring to Israeli occupation of Palestinian-controlled territories. He went on to say, "I hope Bush will work to end this occupation so Israel can live and let live."

I can tell you that in Ramallah today, a peculiar quiet here. We've heard fairly constant sniper fire. Every half-hour or so, four or five shots will ring out in succession. One, maybe two tank shells today. But incredible, as we drove around, we saw very little evidence of Israeli military presence here, other than those snipers and two armored personnel carriers we came across.

In the last few days, the city has literally been a parking lot for tanks and armored vehicles. Also troops on foot. Today, a peculiar quiet in Ramallah. But as you said, Fredricka, roundups continue in at least two neighborhoods here. A thousand men, we're told, were rounded up for questioning. When we last checked, some 500 of those had been released.

Israel saying that they wanted at least 30 people in this group that they said were on their wanted list. No word at this stage how many of those they have managed to get -- Fredricka. WHITFIELD: And, Michael, Bush's remarks, have they trickled down in any way to those representatives in Ramallah? And if so, what is being said?

HOLMES: Representatives, yes. And as I say, Saeb Erakat has responded. He of course is in Jericho. He's not in Ramallah. But yes, word has got inside Yasser Arafat's office. And he has been told the substance of what George W. Bush said. He is now considering his response.

Word filtering through to ordinary Palestinians here, unlikely, given the power cuts that have been going on. However, some people do have electricity. And some people have satellite dishes. When we drive around town, they're very familiar with CNN and have been watching reports.

Also, Fredricka, on a more human level, if you like, we spoke with a couple of families today. A lot of people very short of things like water. Bathrooms, of course, not working without water. One U.N. agency today put out a statement saying that because of damage to sewer lines caused by the building of roadblocks and the digging up of roads, they are now fearing that there could be a public health risk here in Ramallah soon, if there's cross-contamination of drinking water and sewage.

But I can tell you from experience, where we are here, there's not a lot of water to drink, other than short supplies of bottled water -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much. Michael Holmes from Ramallah.

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