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CNN Live Today

Arafat's Compound in Ramallah Damaged by Israeli Attacks

Aired May 02, 2002 - 14:06   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: Now, to Ramallah. I want to get back to the Middle East right now.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat inside that compound, it was the talk at this time yesterday, as we watched those dark images from the compound in Ramallah.

He has since been released from a month-long confinement there in his compound. On a busy schedule today, though. A tour of the damage, not only to his compound but also in and around the area of Ramallah.

Matthew Chance is there, and filed this report on what is happening in the West Bank town today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The day after, at Yasser Arafat's battered compound.

The extent of damage sustained here, staggering to the hundreds who have come to see.

(on camera): Let's take a look at the devastation left behind, now that this siege of the presidential compound has come to an end.

This, the building Yasser Arafat was holed up inside for more than a month, with several hundred others. Conditions inside pretty appalling.

The clear up operation is under way here. Here we can see a couple of members of the Palestinian Security Forces clearing away what looks like an armored shield which they stood up or used as protection against the Israeli military.

Behind that, an indication of the ferocity of the fighting that took place in this compound. Scorched buildings. Bullet holes in the wall. Inside, the clear up operation is underway.

(voice-over): We gained access to the buildings in the hours after the siege came to an end.

Palestinian guards, holed up with Yasser Arafat in these destroyed quarters, showed us how Israeli troops, in their words, have ransacked the offices inside.

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: I don't think we have command centers anymore. I don't have a communication center anymore. I don't have vehicles for the Security Forces anymore. I don't think we have buildings or headquarters -- it's totally destroyed. Total devastation. Anyone tells you otherwise, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

CHANCE (on camera): Israel's intention may have been to isolate Yasser Arafat and to make him irrelevant.

But many ordinary Palestinians have come here to see for themselves how much damage has been sustained, and what their leader has had to endure. And that has made a man, who to many was an ineffectual politician, turn back once again into the hero of the Palestinian cause.

Matthew Chance, CNN, at the presidential compound in Ramallah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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