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CNN Live At Daybreak

Saudi Arabia Warns Bush of Grave Consequences if U.S. Does Not Come Down Harder on Israel

Aired April 26, 2002 - 07:02   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, Saudi Arabia warns President Bush of grave consequences if the U.S., in his words, does not come down harder on Israel. Immediately following yesterday's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, President Bush put renewed pressure on Israel. But this morning a defiant Israel kept forces in place and even made some new incursions.

CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us now from Washington -- good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Paula.

Well, President Bush certainly got an earful from Crown Prince Abdullah. The crown prince making it very, very clear that he wants to see this administration put a great deal more pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He said that if the U.S. does not do that, not only are prospects for peace in the Middle East very dim, but he also says relations between the U.S. and the Arab world could be severely damaged.

So after that nearly five hour meeting, the president came out and talked to reporters and put just a little more pressure on Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I made it clear to him that I expected Israel to withdraw, just like I've made it clear to Israel. And we expect them to be finished. He knows my position. He also knows that I will work for peace. I will bring parties along.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: More pressure, but not as much as the Saudis would like. They made it clear they would like to see the president "reign in" Ariel Sharon. But at the same time, the president faces domestic pressure, law makers in the United States who want him to allow Israel to keep doing what it is doing and to put more pressure on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

At the same time, Paula, yesterday we talked about possible weapons the Saudis could use against the U.S. if they're not satisfied with the administration's policy in the Middle East. Well, Mr. Bush made very, very clear that the Saudis would not, to force any change in policy, halt oil exports to the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Saudi Arabia made it clear and has made it clear publicly that they will not use oil as a weapon. And I appreciate that, respect that and expect that to be the case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And, Paula, the president really tried to put the best face on the meeting, saying he and the crown prince developed a very strong personal bond. But disagreements remain and U.S. credibility is at stake in the Arab world -- Paula.

ZAHN: Now, I understand they did also talk about the issue of Iraq. Have we gotten any details from any U.S. officials about exactly what was discussed?

WALLACE: It appears they talked about it in a very general way, according to a senior official briefing reporters. The president talked about how he views Saddam Hussein as a menace to the region. This official saying the crown prince completely agrees that Saddam Hussein is a problem. Beyond that, though, the Saudis said they did not discuss any detailed policy this administration will pursue.

And again, Paula, as you certainly know, getting Saudi support for any military action against Saddam Hussein would be very important, indeed. It doesn't appear that discussions went that detailed during yesterday's meeting -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Kelly Wallace, thanks so much.

WALLACE: Sure.

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