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Israeli Government Telling the World, 'We Told You So'

Aired April 10, 2002 - 12:02   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: The Israeli government is telling the world, "We told you so." The government says the new suicide bombing confirms what Israelis are up against and further shows the need to crush Palestinian militants. But even after the bombing in Haifa, pressure is growing against the Israeli government to halt its pursuit of Palestinians.

We get the latest now from CNN's John Vause. He's in Jerusalem -- hi, John.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Yeah, eight people killed in that suicide bombing in Haifa, the seaside town in the north of the country. Fourteen people hurt; three of them critically. The Islamic militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for that suicide bombing, and in an ominous warning, they warn there'll be many more to come as long as this Israeli incursion on the West Bank continues.

Witnesses who were behind that bus at the time of the explosion report seeing the bus jump into the air several feet. They say debris scattered across the road. That bus was heading to Jerusalem. It was a morning bus and it left around 7:00 AM.

The suicide bomber, according to Israeli police, boarded the bus at its first stop. About 15 minutes later he detonated the charge, resulting in the death of those Israelis. And there are fears, of course, that death toll could rise with both people in a critical condition.

Today, the Israeli prime minister speaking about this ongoing operation and pleading with the United States not to pressure Israel to wrap up this operation. He said this is a war of survival for the Jewish people. And that operation is ongoing, but it is wrapping up in the Jenin refugee camp, the scene of some bloody fighting over the last few days.

There, 13 Israeli soldiers killed in an ambush, and a number of others also killed in fighting there over the last few days. The Palestinians say at least 200 people were killed. Actually, at least 500 people killed -- I'm sorry -- according to the Palestinians. They say innocent men, women and children were targeted by the Israelis.

The Israelis countered that. They say this was an operation where they went out of their way to avoid civilian casualties.

On the ground there, though, there's a lot of criticism coming here in Jerusalem of that operation. Critics here in Jerusalem say the Israeli army should have been expecting this fierce fight. They say that this town had a week to prepare for the Israeli army. And they're also questioning the government's policy of sending reservists into these camps, into these strongholds for all Palestinian militants.

As you may be well aware of, the Israeli government has called up more than 30,000 reservists to secure Israel from a wave of suicide bombings and to dismantle what they say is a Palestinian network of terror, making suicide bombs in that town of Jenin. The Israeli army showing pictures earlier of the cache of weapons they found, of the bomb-making equipment they then blew up in the house where those weapons were found.

That's part of the reason, the Israeli prime minister says, that this operation will continue and will continue at their own pace -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: John Vause, another question here. Humanitarian efforts, another situation that's starting to plague the area. What's being done to address this.

VAUSE: There have been pleas from international agencies to allow relief workers to get into not just Jenin, but a lot of other Palestinian towns on the West Bank, which are basically being closed off. Residents are being forced to stay inside, no one seeing daylight, no one getting food, water. Electricity has been cut off.

The United Nations making a plea to Israel to provide these basic human services to the residents, to abide by the conventions of war. Allow the civilians to get access to basic needs. The Palestinians are saying that people are dying for want of water, for a want of food. But we have seen some progress.

Yesterday we saw five ambulances from the International Red Cross make its way into Jenin with some much needed medical supplies. But much, much more needs to be done. Doctors on the scene fear there could be an epidemic, because in Jenin, for example, the Palestinians have not been able to bury their dead. And that's creating a very dangerous situation with disease on the ground. That's just one example, they say, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Meanwhile the suicide bombings continue. Is this just reinforcing Israel's position that it needs troops in these areas?

VAUSE: Well what they're saying is that this is, in fact, an example of why this operation needs to continue. This suicide bombing happened despite the increased security. The bomber got the extra security in Haifa.

You might recall that Haifa was the scene of a suicide bombing last week. Fifteen people killed at a restaurant there. So security in that town had been incredibly stepped up. But, still, this suicide bomber managed to get his way on to a bus and managed to kill eight Israelis, possibly some more as the day goes on. We're not too sure yet.

The Israelis, for their part, saying this operation isn't over. It's got to continue. There's no point cutting it short now. This operation is in full swing to try and break up what they say is a Palestinian network of terror. And to cut it short now, the job simply won't get done.

In fact, we heard just a short time ago former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a group of senators saying just that. Saying, "Stand by Israel," pleading with the United States, making a lot of parallels, a lot of comparisons with 9-11.

Saying, you know, that job in Afghanistan took many, many months. This job here on the West Bank is only 12 days old. Give us time to get the job done.

PHILLIPS: Our John Vause, live from Jerusalem -- thank you.

We take you live now to Madrid, Spain, where Secretary of State Colin Powell has gotten together with the foreign minister of Spain. They are about to address reporters and leaders alike.

JOSEP PIQUE, SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): ... a short press conference, where we don't have much time. So at the most we have 15 minutes. And immediately after, Mr. Solano (ph) will be joining us in order to give another press conference devoted to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) relationship between the United States and the European Union.

So in this first part, I would ask if you'd please focus your questions on bilateral relations between the United States and Spain and specifically on what we have (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That is to say, the signing of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) amendment to the agreement on defense cooperation between the United States of America and Spain and the declaration of principles for enhanced cooperation in matters of defense equipment and industry.

If you would allow me, I would like to make a very short introductory comment, to later give the floor to Secretary Powell. I think that what we have just done, signing the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) amendment is a wonderful example of the excellent relations between our two countries, between the United States and Spain.

Shortly over a year ago, both governments signed a political statement that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the relationship between the United States and Spain. It was to be a comprehensive all-encompassing...

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