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CNN Live Today

Bush: Israeli Attack 'Heavy-Handed'

Aired July 23, 2002 - 10:25   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: Moderate forces there amongst the Palestinians have been urging some sort of restraint, and then trying to draw the two sides closer together in the Middle East. However, this attack on the Hamas leader last night is now drawing the vows of reaction -- or retaliation rather -- from Hamas.

Let's get the word from the White House this morning and see if there is any reaction there to the events of the night.

Kelly Wallace checks in live this morning.

Hello -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.

Strong reaction coming from the Bush administration condemning the military raid by Israeli forces. Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, talking to reporters a short time ago, calling this a "heavy-handed action." He went to say that the president has said before that Israel has to be mindful of the consequences of its actions to preserve the path to peace. And the president believes that this "heavy-handed action" does not contribute to peace.

Fleischer said that message would be conveyed to Israeli officials, and he went on to say that the U.S. regrets any loss of life.

Now, Fleischer could not say if the president or if U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell would be speaking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. And he was grilled by reporters who asked how what Israel has done differs from actions by the United States, when the American military, in its pursuit of terrorists around the world, at times have inadvertently killed innocent civilians. Fleischer said it is inaccurate to compare the two. He is making it clear this administration believes that the Israelis know that innocent civilians could be lost, but went ahead with that attack anyway. That. is something that Israel would dispute.

As for where this all goes from here, this administration is saying that Israel must take steps that will allow a political solution down the road. Again, harsh criticism coming from this administration, Leon, which has continued to strike a balance between defending Israel and its right to defend itself, and then at times criticizing Israel for some of the actions it chose to take -- Leon. HARRIS: All right, so, Kelly, what's the view there on how this going to affect the peace process?

WALLACE: Well, that is, of course, the big question. As we have heard from this administration, often officials will say you might take one step forward and then two steps backwards.

We just saw the president at the end of last week sitting around with foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The ministers came out, said it was a great meeting. U.S. officials said it was a great meeting. They felt that the message was getting out that the Palestinians, the Arab ministers themselves were taking steps. The Arab ministers felt the administration was going to be putting more pressure on Israel.

At the beginning of the week, people were somewhat optimistic. But then you have something like this, and now the question is what happens from here? Right now, the message is all sides, this administration believes, needs to take steps to somehow get to a political process -- Leon.

HARRIS: Well, exactly. Kelly Wallace at the White House -- thanks, Kelly.

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