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CNN Live Today

Church of Nativity Standoff Draws Closer to Resolution

Aired May 09, 2002 - 14:18   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: As we mentioned, all eyes once again firmly placed on Manger Square, that standoff at the Church of the Nativity may have a resolution. Walter Rodgers, live in Bethlehem, to bring up to date from his perspective there.

Walter, good evening to you. What are you hearing from your location?

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.

Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, here in Bethlehem at least, have resumed, after earlier in the day a plan to evacuate more than 100 people from the Church of the Nativity had to be aborted.

The disagreement, of course, arose between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel says that the Palestinians began making ipso- facto demands -- that is to say, after an agreement was signed to evacuate the Church of the Nativity the Israelis say the Palestinians began making new demands which were totally unacceptable to the Israelis, and i might also add, the Americans.

The Palestinians acknowledged they did have an additional demand after signing an earlier agreement. What the Palestinians want now is a British or European Union representative inside the church, to stay with the 13 hardcore Palestinian militants there as kind of an insurance policy.

Because those 13 hardcore militants continue to stay inside the church. Even if the evacuation of the others begins those 13 still looking for a third country in which they can go to.

Now, Israel's Foreign Min. Shimon Peres goes to Italy tomorrow to meet with Premiere Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister of Italy. Mr. Berlusconi has yet to be persuaded to take the 13 Palestinians, but we do understand that an agreement is very, very close on that issue.

Having said that, the situation in Manger Square turned a complete 180-degrees today.

Earlier this morning, we saw the Israelis preparing buses -- had buses there to help with the evacuation to take more than 100 people to destination away from this church. We thought we had a solution to the problem.

Additionally, the Israelis even had bottles with -- nice bottled water out there for people inside the church who have endured more than a little depravation.

Suddenly, the buses left. This latest snag came up and the Israelis moved their Merkava tank back into the square, with its 120 millimeter barrel pointed back at the church again.

This is not the kind of situation the Israelis wanted, but they have to show their determination and their toughness. Perhaps you can hear that tank rattling around behind me now -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Walter, we certainly can. Stay safe there in Bethlehem and keep us posted. Walter Rodgers, right near Manger Square.

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