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CNN Live Today
Arafat Heads for Various Parts of the West Bank
Aired May 13, 2002 - 14:12 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: Just about two weeks ago, the siege on Yasser Arafat's compound had ended, and today for the first time he left Ramallah, headed for various parts of the West Bank.
Rula Amin now reporting on Arafat's field trip today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice-over): It was Yasser Arafat's first trip out of Ramallah in more than five months. Using two borrowed Jordanian helicopters, Arafat and his entourage set out on a tour of the West Bank.
His first stop was at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The scene of a 38-day standoff between the Palestinians and the Israeli army. Surrounded by patriarchs, priests and journalists, the Palestinian leader checked out the church, his host guiding him through the different quarters of the church, Franciscans, Armenia and Greek orthodox. He is there. He went and visited different quarters in the church, where there was a standoff between the Israelis outside and the Palestinians inside for five weeks.
"This place is dear to my heart," he told them. He appealed to the international community to protect it and promised church leaders his aides and ministers are on standby to offer whatever help is needed to fix any damage.
From the church, to a nearby mosque and to the city hall.
"The people of Palestinian love you and want you," this man called out, using Yasser Arafat's popular nickname (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am coming here to see my president, Arafat, to support him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is a brave man.
AMIN: and while this crowd was enthusiastic, it was not large, some alienated by what is seen here as giving in to Israeli pressure.
"After he started arresting the Hamas guys, many people are not happy with him, and so many people didn't come out to meet him, " says this man. (on camera): As Yasser Arafat tries to maneuver diplomatically with the outside world, here, on a day like this, he is faced with his own people's immediate needs, demands, and complaints.
(voice-over): There is a lot to be rebuilt here, and many people want compensation for their losses during Israel's latest military campaign.
As Arafat traveled from Bethlehem to Jenin to Nablus, the message was the same. These Palestinians wanted to hear from Arafat how he plans to deal with Israel.
On Sunday, the leading Israeli party, The Likud, voted against establishment of a Palestinian state, sending shudders through the Palestinian community.
Arafat dismissed the vote, and reminded reporters that Likud leaders had already signed agreements with him, including the popular former P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu.
"A Palestinian state will be established, whether they like it or not," says Yasser Arafat.
And just less than an hour after the Palestinian leader has left the Church of the Nativity, this church was back to its normal routine.
Rula Amin, CNN, Bethlehem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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