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CNN Live Today
President Bush Calls Recent Arafat Statement Encouraging
Aired May 09, 2002 - 14:21 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 the White House. President Bush, if you were with us about 30 minutes ago, did have comments again at the White House about the situation there.
To John King, our senior White House correspondent, front lawn, to bring us up to date on the administration's position.
John, good afternoon.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
It has been very rare over the past 15 months of this administration, especially over the past several weeks of uncertainty in the Middle East, to hear President Bush praise Yasser Arafat. But the president this afternoon, for the second consecutive day, offered some compliments to the Palestinian leader, saying he was encouraged that Mr. Arafat spoke out in Arabic, condemning terrorism.
Also encouraged the Palestinian leader has had some Hamas members arrested in the wake of that latest suicide bombing.
Still, President Bush saying the biggest test for him will be more action in the days and weeks ahead from the Palestinian leader.
Mr. Bush also discussing something we know from our sources has come up quite a bit in recent days in the diplomatic discussions, whether it be the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, or last night at the White House here with King Abdullah of Jordan. The administration is pushing, and especially asking the Arab countries, to urge Mr. Arafat to adopt a number of reforms that over time would dramatically change the political structure of the Palestinian Authority.
The president wants a constitution. He wants as position like that of prime minister created. Ultimately, the goal is to move Mr. Arafat into a more symbolic position and have a younger, new generation of leadership running the day to day affairs of the Palestinian Authority.
The president said it's not accurate to say he wants Mr. Arafat removed now. But he did say he believes the Palestinian Authority needs to be much more accountable and less corrupt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT: Mr. Arafat has let the Palestinian people down. He hasn't led. And as a result, the Palestinian suffer. And my heart breaks for the Palestinian moms and dads who wonder whether or not their children are going to be able to get a good education and whether or not there's going to be a job available for their children.
And one of the things that we did talk about was how to put institutions in place so that a potential Palestinian state can be a peaceful neighbor with Israel.
KING: That is one of the more sensitive items now as the president tries to keep diplomacy alive here.
Mr. Arafat himself has not been consulted by the United States about this plan. The administration hoping that the prime minister of Israel would say less about it in public, because they believe the Palestinians will be less likely to accept such a proposal if comes directly from the Israelis.
But we do know from our sources, the president has asked Arab leader to encourage Mr. Arafat to move toward a new political system, that over time. The administration believes this is month's long if not a year-plus long equation, over time would move him into a more symbolic role.
In the meantime, though, the president impressing upon everybody he understands that right now, if you're talking about diplomacy today or tomorrow or next week, like it or not he has to deal with Mr. Arafat -- Bill.
HEMMER: And, John, you mentioned, it takes time. Certainly it does, to move things, especially the way that's being talked about right now.
Is there any sense, or is it too early to figure out whether or not this idea has traction right now?
KING: Well, it has traction with the president of the United States and it has traction with the prime minister of Israel.
That, in some ways, could be a problem, if you will. But I know when the Crown Prince Abdullah was here, i spoke with several senior Saudi officials. Saudi Arabia, more than anyone, gives direct money to the Palestinians. One senior official said Arafat lies to us. Arafat Cheats us. Arafat wastes our money. We know this is a problem.
So certainly there is a sensitivity in the Arab world as well. The question is, can you move this forward? And again, from a political standpoint, the United States would like it a lot if P.M. Sharon would say less about this in public, because they believe it is much less likely that the Palestinians will accept it if they think it's an Israeli proposition.
HEMMER: Thank you, John. John King, front lawn of the White House.
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