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CNN Live Today

G-8 Summit to Cover War on Terror

Aired June 26, 2002 - 11:21   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: All right. We're at 21 minutes after the hour. And as we said before the break: The Middle East issue is something of a gate-crasher at the party of the G-8 summit in the Canadian Rockies this morning.

It's now getting much more attention than it was planned going in. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Calgary with President Bush. She checks in now with this live report.

Hello, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.

Well, the president's expected to meet with British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair within the hour, a private meeting. We're also expecting to see Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive in Calgary within the hour.

So before this begins -- but Leon, as you mentioned, already controversy before the beginning of the G-8 summit. That is because of the focal point. While the official agenda says it's going to be a new partnership with Africa as well as global economic issues, it is clear that two topics are converging as the dominant topics of this summit. That is the war on terror as well as Mr. Bush's Middle East peace initiative.

It was last night that Mr. Bush met with the host, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. They talked about a number of issues. As you know, there are tensions between the United States and Canada, mainly on U.S. tariffs on steel as well as Canadian lumber, as well as a U.S. farm subsidy, that some say do not promote free and fair trade.

But both of those leaders talking about the Middle East last night. The president emphasizing that there must be full reform within the Palestinian leadership as well as the institutions, the organizations, before there can be a creation of a provisional Palestinian state.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: In order for there to be hope, there needs to be emergence of the institutions necessary for a peaceful Palestinian state to emerge. And I will continue to remind all parties they have responsibilities. If there's a true desire for peace, there ought to -- they ought to work for that peace. And everybody's got a right to defend themselves. There also has to be a vision toward a way forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And there's been much debate, Leon, whether or not this change in Palestinian leadership means that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has to go. This is something that U.S. European allies, Russia, as well as many Arab states say they do not agree with that position, that the Palestinians have a right to choose their own leader, democratically elected, and if that's Yasser Arafat, so be it. Mr. Chretien was asked that question last night, and he seemed to waver.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEAN CHRETIEN, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: The president talk about perhaps it would be better to replace Mr. Arafat. I don't have a specific point of view on that. I will -- I think might be a good thing. I don't want to comment on that, but I just say that we need quick election there and to produce the best leadership, because it is very important to have, you know, a constitution and a real state alongside Israel that has to be secure and well protected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Leon, they're expecting thousands of protesters. We really have not seen any great numbers so far, but it's unprecedented security this year. Soldiers and police, thousands of them on the ground, as well as fighter jets in the air.

We should mention, as well, that this lodge is some 60-miles west of Calgary, where we are. So there's really no way that protesters can even get to the site. There's also a no-fly zone that they're enforcing.

I want to tell you, we did see about 1,000 protesters this morning, a very peaceful group that was snaking through downtown Calgary. So peaceful, Leon, they were passing out a sign that says, "sorry for the inconvenience." So this is way that police and officials hope that it goes. And you won't see the kind of violence that we saw that marred the last G-8 summit -- Leon.

HARRIS: That's news: a polite protest.

Suzanne Malveaux, thanks for that report. Have a good one. We'll check back with you later on up there, OK?

MALVEAUX: Sure.

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