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CNN Live Today

Bush: Israeli Airstrike 'Heavy-Handed'

Aired July 23, 2002 - 12:03   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: More reaction now to what's taking place in the Middle East.

Our Kelly Wallace live at the White House with what is being said from there -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, we are getting some rare and some very harsh criticism of Israel coming from the Bush administration, the White House calling this a "heavy-handed action" that will not be helpful for the peace process.

Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, speaking to reporters a little bit earlier. He said -- quote: "The president has said 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. This message will be conveyed to the Israeli authorities, and the United States regrets the loss of innocent lives."

Now, Fleisher went on to reject any comparisons between the Israeli killing of a terrorist leader with how the U.S. military, in its pursuit of al Qaeda and Taliban operatives, has from time to time accidentally killed innocent civilians. Fleischer says it's inaccurate to compare the two. He said that the U.S. has really maintained a policy to minimize civilian casualties.

He went on to say that this attack by Israel was -- quote -- "a deliberate attack on this site knowing that innocents would be lost in the consequences of the attack."

Now, as for where the peace process goes from here, just look at where things were at the end of last week. President Bush was sitting down in the Oval Office with foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Those foreign ministers came out, very positive, very encouraged, saying this administration was going to put more pressure on Israel. The U.S. was feeling very encouraged, saying the Palestinians and the Arab ministers were taking steps. And now, have you this, Kyra.

White House officials continue to say that for every step forward in the Middle East, you have you two steps backward. Now, they are trying to try and stem the damage, really, encouraging all parties to take steps to some how, some way, get to a political solution -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace live from the White House -- thank you.

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