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CNN Live Today

White House Reevaluates Middle East Policy

Aired April 19, 2002 - 13:38   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: Back here at home, the White House is rethinking its Middle East policy. CNN senior White House correspondent John King joins us with more on that. John, Secretary of State Powell was at the White House. What can you tell us about the conversations between Secretary Powell and President Bush?

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, today, Fredricka, Secretary Powell's job was to brief not only the president, but the entire National Security Council on his diplomatic mission to the Middle East and what the administration is considering to do next. Yesterday, of course, he delivered a one-on-one briefing to the president.

Here at the White House today, Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary, for the first time saying publicly that administration would support an independent investigation into what happen need that refugee camp in Jenin. The Palestinians, of course, saying the Israeli military is guilty of tragic abuses. The Israeli military says, yes, some civilians died, but only as it was conducting what it considered to be a legitimate campaign against terrorist cells in the camp. The administration saying it would support an investigation, but not giving any great clarity, at least not just yet, on what type of investigation.

There is United Nations team in the camp. Ari Fleischer acknowledged that, but he did not say directly that that is the investigation the President Bush would like it see happen. This could become, in the days ahead, a sticking point between the United States and Israeli government. The Palestinians, of course, believe this administration is far too pro-Israeli in its views. But the Israeli government is saying consistently, and said again today, that it does not believe there is any need for third party investigation.

So we need to follow that closely in the days ahead, to see if that develops, perhaps, a rift between Washington and Jerusalem in that regard.

WHITFIELD: John, I understand the White House is watching out to Israel as it relates to five men involved in the deaths of ministers

KING: There are five men in the Palestinian compound in Ramallah that are the lead suspects in the killing of an Israeli cabinet minister. That is the major sticking point now, as Israel continues its military offensive -- the Palestinians would say occupation -- around the Palestinian compound in Ramallah. United States acknowledged that it helped facilitate the transfer of three of those suspects.

The Palestinians arrested them in Nablus with the United States' help, meaning the United States told Israel to guarantee safe passage. Three of the five suspects were brought together then with the other two in Ramallah. The question now is when they will be brought to trial and by whom. The Israelis want them turned over to the Israeli government. The Palestinians say that previous agreements allow for Palestinians to bring them to justice.

Right now, there is an assistant secretary of state, Ambassador Bill Burns. Secretary Powell left him behind the in the region. His job is to try to broker a diplomat compromise, some agreement to bring the five suspects to trial so the United States can then go to Israel and say here is the agreement to bring them to trial. Now you must end the military offensive in Ramallah. But those negotiations are quite difficult because the Israelis and the Palestinians have very different views on how this should be resolved.

WHITFIELD: John King at the White House, thank you very much.

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