Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Interview With Nasser Al-Kidwa

Aired April 04, 2002 - 14:24   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: Joining us now with more Palestinian reaction to today's developments here in the U.S., Dr. Nasser Al-Kidwa. He is the Palestinian observer to the United Nations, and he joins us from our U.N. studio in New York. Thanks for joining us.

NASSER AL-KIDWA, PALESTINIAN OBSERVER TO U.N.: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, if indeed this meeting takes place between special envoy Zinni as well as Yasser Arafat, as early as tomorrow, now, it is possible that that meeting will take place under the duress of still-continued Israeli military siege there. How do you suppose that kind of tenuous situation will be able to produce anything positive out of a meeting between the two men, if indeed it happens?

AL-KIDWA: Well, I think you have a point there. This situation must end, of course, as prerequisite for moving ahead with the implementation of the vision, which the president spoke about today. The Israeli army must start withdrawing immediately. And of course, the siege imposed on President Arafat must end, so that we can deal with the situation in a more effective way.

WHITFIELD: When's the last time you spoke with Palestinian leader Arafat, and what did he say when you last spoke with him?

AL-KIDWA: A few hours ago, and that was basically dealing with the possible action in the Security Council regarding Security Council Resolution 1402.

WHITFIELD: And when you spoke with him, just a couple of hours ago, is he talking to you any more about the atmosphere around him? About conditions around him?

AL-KIDWA: The conditions in the Palestinian cities and the occupied Palestinian territory generally is upholding. The humanitarian situation is very grave. And this is one of the reasons why this Israeli aggression and this Israeli military attack should end immediately.

Let me try to deal a little bit with the statement made by President Bush today. This statement, of course, still being considered by President Arafat and the Palestinian leadership. There are important elements in it. I think it's important that the U.S. is ready to engage in more substantial way. It's also important that there is recognition now that there must be a political context for one to deal with the security that I mentioned.

But I have, nevertheless, to say that we do reject the unjustified criticism of Mr. Arafat. And I think we need some kind of official explanation by the United States, on the meaning of what was said, because this will have direct implication on the potentials for the implementation of the vision outlined by President Bush, just some time ago.

WHITFIELD: Let me ask you, Ambassador. Our sources are telling our correspondents that Prime Minister Sharon was very well aware of what Bush was going to be proposing, what he was going to be imploring upon the Israeli military pullout. Yet almost three hours have passed now, and Sharon and other government officials are saying they're continuing to pore over, look over the remarks made by Bush before they will actually begin any withdrawal from Palestinian territories. How discouraging or worrisome is that for you?

AL-KIDWA: It is indeed discouraging and worrisome. But, frankly, this is not new. Israel is in transition, and Israel's contempt, I would say, for the will of the international community, and from time to time the United States, is very well known.

But let me tell you something. The moment that the United States decides indeed that something ought to happen, even if it does include Israel, believe me, the Israelis will have to carry this on.

WHITFIELD: All right. Ambassador Nasser Al-Kidwa, U.N. Palestinian observer, thanks very much for joining us from New York this afternoon.

AL-KIDWA: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com