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CNN Live Today

Yasser Arafat Remains in Ramallah Compound

Aired April 17, 2002 - 14:29   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: We're going to go back now to Bill Hemmer, who's is standing by live in Jerusalem. Let's talk a little bit about what's happening in the Middle East crisis. Bill, I'm curious to know what's happening with Yasser Arafat. Has he been given the word that he's free to roam?

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: At this point Kyra, no. He is still inside that compound in Ramallah, what remains of it, anyway. He's been that way for the past two and a half weeks.

But earlier today the defense minister of Israel told us that Israel would agree to allow Yasser Arafat freedom of travel and movement all throughout the West Bank and even over into Gaza, they say, if he would turn over, they say, five wanted killers that Israel has been pursuing for some time now. The Palestinians say forget about it. They're not going to do it.

Israel says that there are at least four suspects in there who are responsible for killing the tourism minister back in mid-October. In fact it happened just across the way here in east Jerusalem inside the of the Hyatt Regency hotel in east Jerusalem. They also say Fuad Shufoki (ph) is name that a lot of people have talked about.

He's a former finance minister within the Palestinian organization that Israel has linked to that arms shipment, the Karin A, back in early January, that came originally from Iran. They say he has to be turned over. So too does the handful of suspects, about four they mentioned, who they believe are responsible for the death of the tourism minister.

Again, the Palestinians are saying it's not going to happen. And there's a similar tone in Bethlehem as well -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You mention the word "withdraw." Let's talk a little bit about that. Will there be a withdraw? And if so, set the scene for us.

HEMMER: Yes, here is what we have come to understand through the defense minister. He says within two days time, maybe, he adds there, a withdrawal will take place in Jenin. He says maybe four days time in the area around Nablus.

Now, what does a withdrawal mean? We've been trying to nail this down, Kyra. Because within the Israeli government they talk about setting up security zones in various parts of the West Bank. They're saying that they would withdraw about 2 kilometers, essentially 1.6 miles, outside of these towns. They would sit there, wait, and then make sure things stay quiet, in the words of many Israeli officials here.

Now, to the Palestinians, that is going to be absolutely unacceptable. They want a complete withdraw from the West Bank. But at this point it doesn't appear that that's going to happen any time soon. And Colin Powell pushed for it. He has been pushing for it for weeks. So, too, has the White House.

He wanted a road map yesterday from Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, and he did not get it, in that last meeting, the third and final meeting he had with the prime minister.

PHILLIPS: So, Bill, no cease-fire, obviously, unless there's a full withdrawal. So how is everybody viewing the Powell trip? Has this been a total bust?

HEMMER: A complete bust, no. You know, the White House downplayed expectations at the outset. And they were not building this up to accomplish much. There is no cease-fire. Secretary Powell will tell you, though, there is a clear vision of peace in the region.

And to paint a silver lining on it, a lot of people are talking about the potential for regional conference. That may or may not happen in about two months time. That would include all of the players from the region, headed up by the United States, to talk about that Arab peace plan.

The other thing a lot of people are hanging their hat on right now is the visit to Damascus on Monday. The Israelis say Secretary Powell went a long way to diffuse the tensions there. In fact, they say there is evidence right now of a pullback from Hezbollah positions, who were really essentially involved in cross-border shelling and counterattacks with Israeli troops in the northern part of the country. They say he went a long way to diffusing tension there.

In fact, in about 48 hours time, Kyra, have not heard much about any shelling happening there in the northern part of the country.

PHILLIPS: All right, our Bill Hemmer, live from Jerusalem. Thanks so much, Bill.

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