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CNN Live Today
Israel Vows Severe Retaliation for Suicide Bus Bombing
Aired June 05, 2002 - 12:02 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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The Israeli government is vowing what it calls severe retaliation, after a suicide bombing today. It was a huge explosion. As we told you, at least 16 people were killed. Also, dozens injured in the blast being claimed by an Islamic militant group.
CNN's Jerrold Kessel is near the site of the blast in northern Israel with a live report there -- Jerrold.
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, pretty normal here at this mountainous major trunk road, the major crossing point, crossroads in northern Israel in Galilee, just north of where Israel's border is with the West Bank. But it was anything but normal early this morning, just after 7:00, when the commuter bus from Tel Aviv heading here towards this cross road blew up. The circumstances: a particular kind of suicide bombing.
The bomber was in a car, drew up alongside the bus, and exploded what the police say were literally dozens of pounds of explosives in his car. The bus reduced to a complete iron hulk, and 16 people, 13 of them soldiers who were heading back to their bases in northern Israel, were killed. Some 35 injured, several seriously. The bomber, of course, himself, killed as well.
It was a horrendous scene and with some heart-rending moments. An eyewitness said he saw two people, a man and a woman embrace just as they tried to, but failed to get out of the burning vehicle.
There were also some heartwarming stories, particularly of the bus driver. Miki Harel, he survived. Now Miki Harel, we caught up -- people caught up with him in the hospital shortly afterwards. He was recovering from injuries. Minor injuries, but this is the fourth time that this particular bus driver has been -- his bus has been a target of a terror attack. And he survived them, as he survived today's.
But he was clearly overwrought, as he said, that -- he described the scene, saying that the bus had catapulted twice over before landing up on its side. He managed to clamber out to safety, but he said it was so terrible and he knew all of those soldiers. He said they were regulars on his bus making that early-morning drive from Tel Aviv. "Very, very hard," he said. Very hard, indeed.
Now the situation returns to what will be the responses to this. The Israeli military did send in a small number of tanks and armored personnel carriers into nearby Jenin in this valley near by this crossing point -- is the crossing point into the West Bank, Jenin. The town of Jenin just about eight miles away to the south here on the West Bank.
They went in there, but the Israelis describing this as one of their regular incursion, preemptive incursions to thwart bombers. And we could expect perhaps there will be some kind of other Israeli reaction. The Israeli security cabinet will be meeting later tonight to discuss the possibility of other kinds of actions.
Yasser Arafat has taken at least declaratory action for the moment. The Palestinian leader, after meeting with his security chiefs, telling them they must arrest those responsible for sending the bombers -- Carol.
LIN: Jerrold, what do you know about a foiled cyanide attack at that infamous bombing in Netanya at the Park Hotel?
KESSEL: Whether it was cyanide or not we don't know. But what the reports are coming out -- there was a briefing yesterday given at the Knesset, Israel's parliament to the security committee by the chief of military intelligence. And we know that he had given a warning saying that Palestinian militant groups were trying to stage what he called a "mega terror attack." And one of the references he made was to that major attack back on March 29 in the town of Netanya in the Park Hotel. It was on the eve of the Passover Seder, the Passover festival, and when 29 Israelis were killed.
And now what the military intelligence chief said was that there were dangerous substances that were attempted to be set off in that explosion; failed to go off. I'm not aware that he actually used the word cyanide in that attack, but he certainly did, as far as we understand from military sources, brief the parliamentary members, saying that there was some kind of an attempt to make it more than a simple bombing attack. And that there were dangerous substances, which the Palestinian bomber had tried to set off.
LIN: All right. Thank you very much, Jerrold Kessel, live in northern Israel on this latest example of violence, which comes as diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining momentum.
And on that score, an important figure in the Middle East equation is due in Washington for talks with President Bush. For that part of the story, CNN's Kelly Wallace at the White House -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, this all coming at time when this administration getting ready for some intense diplomacy, as you said. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak coming here very soon. First, though, to the reaction from this administration, a quick condemnation of the bombing, and also a call for the Palestinian security forces to reform.
Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, speaking to reporters a bit earlier this morning, saying, quote, "The president this morning condemns the brutal terror attacks that took place in Israel in the strongest terms. This attack underscores that these terrorists are the worst enemies not only of the people of Israel, who seek peace, but also of the Palestinian people and their hope for a better life."
It goes on to say, "This attack also underscores the importance of the Palestinian Authority developing a security force that can be relied on to stop and to prevent attacks." But absent from the statement, and even from Ari Fleischer today, any harsh criticism of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. No singling out Mr. Arafat to do more, something we have heard this administration do after previous terror attacks.
This does appear -- and I stress the word "appear" -- to be this administration trying to minimize the importance of Yasser Arafat. Fleischer saying the administration is focused less on one individual than on results and on actions. Saying a government is not comprised of just one person but of many people.
Again, this comes at an important time for the White House. Egyptian President Mubarak making his way to Washington. He is expected to arrive later this evening. He met on this day with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr. Mubarak and President Bush will meet at Camp David this weekend.
And the Egyptian leader is expected to come calling on Mr. Bush to set a timeline for negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and also for the creation of a Palestinian state. At the same time, Carol, as you know, the president on Monday to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon here in Washington. This will be their sixth face-to-face session. And the Israelis have been very reluctant to get into serious political dialogue while the terrorism continues.
As we heard Jerrold saying, the Israelis are really blaming the Palestinian Authority leader, Yasser Arafat, for today's attack. So clearly this administration maneuvering between competing pressures between Arab leaders, such as President Mubarak, and the Israelis. Aides say the president will be doing a lot of listening during these meetings -- Carol.
LIN: Kelly, and very interesting that Ariel Sharon asked his security cabinet to show some restraint in light of today's attack. Perhaps a precursor for what is to be discussed at his meeting with President Bush next week.
WALLACE: Well certainly, as you were saying, there has been some momentum, some progress. Certainly CIA Director George Tenet is in the region trying to encourage the Palestinians to consolidate their security forces. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns also in the region trying to see if there is a way to move forward.
There is a lot of pressure about convening some international conference on the Middle East very soon. A senior State Department official telling CNN the administration hopes to have it sooner rather than later, but it's saying no one is packing their bags just yet. So some pressure to try and build on some progress. The hope is that today's attack won't derail these latest efforts -- Carol.
LIN: Kelly Wallace, live at the White House, thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
