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CNN Sunday Morning

Middle East Dominates Discussions Between Bush and Blair

Aired April 07, 2002 - 11:10   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: The Middle East is dominating discussions in Texas between President Bush and visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They're wrapping up a ranch weekend today, and CNN's Kelly Wallace is near the ranch in Crawford, and she has the latest there.

This morning we heard, Kelly, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said, once again underscoring Bush's message, "now without delay, not tomorrow," but still no withdrawal. How is the Bush Administration responding this morning?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. What the message is coming from Dr. Rice and even Secretary of State Colin Powell as well, is again that President Bush is expecting withdrawal now, that he relayed that message publicly yesterday, privately during a phone call with Prime Minister Sharon.

Also, Secretary Powell worked the phones, talking to the Prime Minister again this morning. The Secretary indicating that he believes the Israeli leader fully understands what President Bush is asking him to do. Clearly though, U.S. officials were put on the spot a little bit by interviewers saying, well the Israelis have not yet started that withdrawal and the officials continue to say the President is expecting results, is expecting to see action now, that he firmly believes it needs to happen so that the diplomatic processes can get underway.

And U.S. officials also seem to be doing something else, giving the Prime Minister a little bit of cover, because Dr. Rice and Secretary Powell both saying today that they firmly understand that a full, complete withdrawal can't happen overnight. Condoleezza Rice also saying that the President understands it has to take place in an orderly fashion. Here's what she told Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We're at a tipping point and it is time for the Israelis to try and reverse the circumstances so that we can get into a better set of circumstances and move forward for peace.

I want to be very clear that, while he does expect Israel to begin the withdrawal without delay, he understands that it can't be helter skelter and chaotic. But he does expect this withdrawal to begin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And we also understand that Anthony Zinni, the President's Middle East envoy is expected to possibly meet with the Prime Minister on this day again, to put more pressure privately urging withdrawal from the Palestinian areas.

Another development, Fredricka, there has been, of course, lots of questioning about whether Secretary Powell will meet with Yasser Arafat. The White House, even Secretary Powell, they both have been saying that there are no plans at this time to have such a meeting.

Well, the Secretary was asked about this issue today and he indicated a meeting is possible. Here's what he told reporters a little bit earlier this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I've met with him at least three times in the past year, and I talk to him on a regular basis, and our Special Envoy, Mr. Zinni, General Zinni, met with him last week. So if circumstances permit, I would look forward to meeting with Chairman Arafat.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, what kind of circumstances?

POWELL: We'll have to see what those circumstances are, accessibility, security issues, or other circumstances, and we'll see as the week proceeds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the Secretary leaving this evening for the Middle East, his first stop Morocco to meet with Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, a strategy by this administration encouraging Arab leaders to put more pressure on Yasser Arafat to clamp down on terrorism. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much Kelly Wallace, reporting from Crawford, Texas.

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