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Bush Puts High Burden on Arafat

Aired May 02, 2002 - 13:40   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's continue our conversation with John King at the White House. John, you were listening in with the president and EU leaders as well. Certainly this is a situation that continues to get a lot of attention and a lot of gravity there at the White House. Good afternoon to you.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill. And because of the uncertainty of it, you heard President Bush in his remarks, both in an opening statements, which we were not carrying live because of other developments, and then in the question- and-answer period, the president choosing his words very carefully because of the delicate moment, but also making clear even as he did so that he puts a high burden right now on the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Mr. Bush saying now that is he free from the compound in Ramallah, this is Mr. Arafat's moment to lead. This is Mr. Arafat's moment to prove to the president of the United States, Mr. Bush said, that he is willing to take steps to crack down on terrorism and to end corruption in the Palestinian Authority. That a theme we have not heard very often from this president, but it is very clear now that they are putting direct political pressure on Yasser Arafat not only to address the needs and the demands of the international community, but also making the case that this is the time for the Palestinian people to look hard at their leadership and decide whether Mr. Arafat is making decisions that are in the best interest of the Palestinian people.

Mr. Bush making the case, of course, that ending terrorism, entering into a dialogue with Israel is the best way not only to bring about eventually a Palestinian state, but also in the short term more economic goodwill, if you will, more economic help for the Palestinian people -- Bill.

HEMMER: John, look forward to next week. On Tuesday, it's my understanding Ariel Sharon would be there at the White House. The reports out of Israel indicate that he is going to suggest some sort of physical separation, whether that's a fence or wall, I don't know. Curious to know that the talk is there at the White House regarding that issue.

And on the second front, if that's what the prime minister is expected to say to President Bush, what in turn will President Bush say to Ariel Sharon? KING: We are told the president's message to Ariel Sharon is, yes, I understand you don't like and don't trust Mr. Arafat. He doesn't like or he doesn't trust you. The fact of the matter is, Israel and the Palestinian territories and ultimately the Palestinian state, the president has endorsed, are and will be neighbors. Mr. Bush trying to get Mr. Sharon to acknowledge that fact, that he may not like his neighbor, but he must deal with his neighbor.

We also are told, and this assumes that things go well, which is a big assumption, but it assumes the resolution of the crisis at the Church of the Nativity -- you were just talking about it with Walt Rodgers -- that the president's message will be, it has been now more than a month since I said all of your troops should be out of the Palestinian territories -- I mean it. They must all come out. There must be agreement on some sort of a cease-fire agreement.

And then the president will explore the possibility of getting to what the Saudis want and what the Europeans want, a larger discussion about a peace agreement, but they are quite skeptical here at the White House that anyone in the region is ready for that. The United States and the Saudis may agree on what a peace plan might look like, but unless the Israelis and the Palestinians are willing to talk about it, it does no good that the United States understands what it might be. Mr. Bush to explore that. A great deal of skepticism here at the White House that the parties are ready for what one senior aide here called "such a quantum leap" at this moment.

HEMMER: John, word yesterday, Secretary of State Colin Powell had conversations with Yasser Arafat. I'm not sure if you essentially are up to speed on those conversations, but is there contact also from the White House with either the Palestinian leader or many of his top lieutenants?

KING: There is no contact with the White House. Secretary Powell handles those conversations with the Palestinians for a reason. As Mr. Bush just stated yet again, Yasser Arafat does not have and hasn't earned his trust. And so it is part of the White House strategy to say that Mr. Sharon might deal directly with Mr. Bush. Mr. Arafat will not until he meets the president's demands.

We are told Secretary Powell said quite clearly to Mr. Arafat, it is time to lead, it is time to arrest more people. And most importantly, especially in the first 24 or 48 hours, what the White House wants is form Mr. Arafat to watch what he says. And certainly, Mr. Arafat on the one hand said he was committed to peace, that he wanted a land for peace arrangement. That is good news, if you will, from the White House perspective, but his talk of the Israelis as criminals, as barbarians, as terrorists, as racists, that is something that the White House believes is counter-productive and the president himself is making that clear. Ari Fleischer just made it clear. We are told Secretary Powell in advance made it clear, and will remind the Palestinians through diplomatic channels again what Mr. Arafat says in the next day or so is viewed as critical in this White House to reducing the atmosphere of tension and violence.

HEMMER: John, thank you. John King on the front lawn. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com