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CNN Live Today
Israelis Consider Response to Suicide Bombing; White House Says Peace Process Must Continue
Aired June 18, 2002 - 14:11 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Jerusalem today, Israeli leaders are considering their response to that city's deadliest suicide attack in six years. 19 people were killed on a crowded city bus when a young Hamas member set off a bomb packed with nails.
We get more from Jerrold Kessel now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was shortly before 8:00 a.m. when the bomber struck.
The bus that just drawn out of the station behind me, picking up passengers, and a few seconds later the loud explosion -- 19 people left killed by the suicide bomber, 50 wounded.
The Israelis say they had been looking for a would-be bomber for the previous 24 hours. He clearly managed to elude their security.
Later, the Islamic radical group Hamas claimed responsibility, putting out a videotape said to be of the bomber before he set out on his mission.
Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon was soon on the scene, making a very firm statement, vowing to continue to battle and to step up the battle against what he called "Palestinian terror."
And he also seemed to be warning, seemed to be cautioning, seemed to be hoping that President Bush would not include the idea of a provision -- even a provisional Palestinian state in the anticipated U.S. statement of policy about how best to try to work -- for the sides to work their way out of this conflict.
After coming here, Mr. Sharon convened his top security officials. They, the army, apparently proposed all kinds of options that Israel might undertake -- what kind of measures might be taken in response to this latest deadly bombing.
We understand there are two points of view in the Israeli government: one which says that Israel should wait to hear what the president says; the other arguing -- and it seems that Mr. Sharon is veering in that direction -- arguing that this must be a forceful Israeli military response, even before that. Jerrold Kessel, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And the White House says the latest carnage doesn't even change the administration's visions for Mideast peace, and the steps that'll have to be taken to achieve it.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux joins us now with a sweeping proposal that's being dissected even before it's unveiled.
Hi, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.
Well, the White House says that it will not let this latest bombing derail the peace process.
There were strong words coming from White House spokesperson Scott McClellan, saying that the president condemns these terrorist attacks in the strongest terms possible.
Now, publicly, the president was pushing forward a plan to increase home ownership for minorities, but privately, behind the scenes, he was working on preparing to unveil the U.S. peace proposal.
This is really a broad outline to bring back the Israelis and Palestinians back to negotiating table. They say this latest terrorist attack will not derail that process.
Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The president condemns this act of terror in the strongest possible terms. These terrorists who attack and kill innocent men, women and children are the enemy of peace, and they're trying to disrupt our efforts.
The world must condemn terrorism and stand together against terrorism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now we are told that the president is not going to unveil this plan today. It will come later in the week, perhaps as early as tomorrow.
We do have some of the highlights for you from administration sources.
We do note that the president is going to call for the formation of a provisional Palestinian state, one that would be divided into two areas: one in which the Palestinians would have complete control, the other in which Israeli security forces would be involved in patrolling the area. Secondly, that Mr. Bush will call for an international peace conference this summer, involving many moderate Arab states, but also possibly Lebanon and Syria.
And that he will also call for the reorganization of the Palestinian Authority, namely reorganizing the security forces and also entertaining other leaders to participate in the negotiating process.
I think one of the key questions, Kyra, that goes unanswered today, is the fact that the Israeli prime minister Sharon actually says that the only point that he will negotiate with Palestinians is an end to the violence.
Well, clearly, that has not happened. What does this proposal really have to offer to get him back to negotiating table -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux. Thank you.
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