Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Israeli Troops Throw Stun Grenades At Media

Aired April 05, 2002 - 05:02   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: As I just told you, the Israeli military has ordered news crews away from Yasser Arafat's besieged compound and that order came after Israeli troops fired several stun grenades into a crowd of reporters outside of Arafat's Ramallah compound. We understand no one was hurt, but vehicles were hit, including one carrying our CNN crew.

Here's how CNN's Michael Holmes describes it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What happened was a convoy of five media armored vehicles went to the compound just a short time ago to cover the arrival of Anthony Zinni. We were there maybe five minutes, perhaps, when two Israeli Army Land Rovers, and behind them a Mercedes civilian vehicle, pulled up. Without warning the Israeli troops threw at least five, perhaps six, some say seven, stun grenades at, directly into the media. There were about 20, 25 media there. They threw them directly into the group. One went off just under my feet.

They then made an announcement ordering us to leave, which we then did after we were able to scramble into armored vehicles.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: What other choice was there but to leave?

Before we go to our coverage of the Queen Mother's funeral procession, we want to get details on the crisis in the Middle East besides what you just heard.

CNN's Chris Burns has been in Jerusalem and he updates us now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The meeting between U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in his bombed out compound in Ramallah is especially significant because Prime Minister Sharon of Israel is allowing it to happen. A week ago Sharon rejected that, but yesterday, after President Bush's calls for the Israelis to pull back from the occupied territories as well as in entering into negotiations with the Palestinians, that seemed to force Sharon to show some kind of flexibility. This meeting is laying the groundwork for a meeting next week, for a visit next week by Secretary of State Colin Powell with the Israelis and Palestinians in trying to bring about at least a cease- fire. However, meanwhile, the fighting overnight continued. The Israeli forces have tightened their clamp down on the largest city in the West Bank, Nablus. There were five reported deaths of Palestinians by the Red Crescent overnight. That adding to some 70 killed in the last few days during this Israeli crackdown in the territories against a wave of suicide attacks by Palestinian attackers that had left at least 125 Israelis killed in March alone.

Meanwhile, a new poll indicates Israeli support for Ariel Sharon, the prime minister getting 62 percent, according to this poll, whereas a month ago, in March, that was down to 45 percent. So this indicating there is Israeli support for Sharon's policies at the moment.

However, that same poll shows that a majority support negotiations toward establishing a Palestinian state once the terror attacks are subdued.

Chris Burns, CNN, in Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: All right, Chris Burns, 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