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CNN Live Today

President Bush Meeting With Jordan's King Abdullah

Aired August 01, 2002 - 10:28   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah this hour. On the agenda, the crisis in the Middle East. The president is under increasing pressure to work to secure peace, especially while talking about war with Iraq.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us now with the latest on that meeting.

Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. I want to first talk about the fact that the White House is reacting with outrage to that latest attack in Israel, when five Americans were killed and dozens of Americans were injured. White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer just moments ago in the off-camera gaggle said -- and I'm quoting here -- "It was a horrific act of terror to kill all innocence. He went to say that there's a large group of Americans who share a kindred spirit with Israel."

He was asked whether or not this will change U.S. policy or approach in the Middle East. He said it would not. When asked whether or not the United States would do anything to avenge the killing of Americans, he said the United States is already engaged in a war on terror.

You mentioned before that Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House. He arrived five minutes ago. This is the fifth visit between the two of them, Abdullah and Bush. The last time he was here in May. Now, there may be some debate in Congress and the White House as to whether or not the White House should attack Iraq. There is no question, no debate for this powerful U.S. ally.

Here's what we expect to come out from the meeting. Three points first and foremost, that the United States must focus on the Middle East peace process. If it does not, this could essentially shatter the prospect for peace if it focuses on the attack of Iraq. Secondly, the Bush administration must accelerate the Middle East peace plan. Many Arab allies are very frustrated with the pace of this. The Bush administration hoping and saying they would like to have a Palestinian state created within three years.

And finally, there is an alternative to a military attack against Iraq. Again, Abdullah saying he believes one more time with Saddam Hussein, try to get him to allow the weapon's inspectors inside. The president has little hope that that was going to be an approach that we take. That has been largely ineffective -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, where that meeting goes on with King Abdullah.

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