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CNN Live Today

Bush Claims: I Meant what I Said

Aired April 08, 2002 - 13:02   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well there are new developments on the diplomatic front in the effort to ease the Mid East tensions. CNN's Major Garrett is traveling with the president today in Knoxville, Tennessee. He joins us now live with the details. Hello again, Major.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra. It appears to be an increasingly difficult confrontation between the Bush White House and the government of Israel led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The president is here in Knoxville not to talk about the Middle East necessarily but to talk about citizen involvement, community service, particularly as it relates to the war on terrorism.

And while he was here in Knoxville touring a citizen's volunteer police academy, the president made it very clear to reporters that he had some comments about the Middle East, comments directed specifically at the Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I meant what I said to Prime Minister of Israel, I expect there to be withdrawal without delay. And I also meant what I said to the Arab world, that in order for there to be peace, nations must stand up and leaders must stand up and condemn terrorism and terrorist activities.

There is a mutual responsibility to achieve peace and it's going to require leadership on both sides. And the United States is firmly committed to achieving peace and firmly committed and I am firmly committed to what I expect from both parties. I repeat, I meant what I said about withdrawal without delay. And I mean what I say when I call upon the Arab world to strongly condemn and act against terrorist activities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARRETT: Well Kyra, the message from president clearly unambiguous on both sides of this issue. The White House is trying to draw a distinction essentially between Israel's right to self-defense, which the president basically said was legitimate. He said now this act of self-defense is beginning to cause problems for Israel and the entire region, that's why Israel should withdraw now without delay.

But also had the president wants to make it very clear that as Secretary of State Powell makes it to the region, not go to Jerusalem first, not meaning to carry this message personally to Ariel Sharon but to be with the leaders in Europe and parts of the Arab world that European leaders who have been very critical of the Bush Administration policy and Arab leaders who have been similarly critical must also criticize what's happening on the ground as it relates to Palestinian acts of terrorism again Israel.

And as a practical matter, Kyra, there is a perception by some in the White House, there's a perception in the region that it won't be until Secretary of State Powell actually makes it to the region that Israel will feel the full weight of U.S. diplomatic pressure to begin that withdraw. So until he gets there, it's quite possible the Israel military activity will continue in the West Bank, which despite this appearance of a conflict between the United States government and the Israel government may not change the facts on the ground, that could make matters worse before they are better - Kyra.

PHILLIPS: CNN's Major Garrett traveling with the president, thank you.

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