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CNN Live At Daybreak

Finally Breakthrough to End Standoff in Ramallah

Aired May 02, 2002 - 06:03   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: So what's next? The next stop for U.S. diplomacy, I'm talking about that. Well, it may be affected by Washington politics. Here is CNN senior White House correspondent, John King.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Finally a breakthrough, a U.S.-brokered deal to end the standoff in Ramallah, but even in celebration, a blunt challenge to Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Chairman Arafat should now seize this opportunity to act decisively in word and in deed against terror directed at Israeli citizens.

KING: The month-long Israeli siege at Arafat's Ramallah compound has been the flashpoint of this latest Middle East crisis. Mr. Arafat accuses Israel of trying to cripple his ability to govern. Israel counters that Mr. Arafat is giving refuge to five Palestinians accused of killing an Israeli cabinet minister and sixth many accused of masterminding a giant arms shipment.

The administration says the compromise gives both sides what they most want. For Israel, assurances the six suspects will be jailed under U.S. and British supervision, and for the Palestinians, a quick Israeli pullback from Ramallah and permission for Mr. Arafat to travel freely within the Palestinian territories.

BUSH: He hasn't earned my respect yet. He must earn my respect by leading.

KING: The American monitors will be security experts, not U.S. troops, and administration sources say the CIA will take the lead in the arrangements. Mr. Bush was in seclusion at his ranch Saturday morning when he secretly called Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to push the new initiative. Secretary of State Powell called Mr. Arafat, and U.S. officials say Saudi Arabia also helped sell the deal to the Palestinian leader.

PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: This breaking of the impasse presents us with the opportunity to move forthwith and expeditiously towards negotiating for a permanent political settlement. KING: Mr. Bush made the point that much hard work remains, and his team is cautious, wary of raising expectations of a return to peace negotiations when there is still a standoff in Bethlehem and no formal cease-fire in place.

(on camera): Still, the president hailed the Ramallah breakthrough as an important step, and if all goes well, a big if, Mr. Bush will get the chance to test the prospects for even more progress when Prime Minister Sharon visits the White House the week after next.

John King, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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