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CNN Live Today

Administration Officials Meet With Palestinian Leaders

Aired August 08, 2002 - 11:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the latest on Mideast diplomacy. A senior Palestinian delegation meets with top members of the Bush administration today. They are holding the first high level talks since President Bush called for new Palestinian leadership.
Our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us with the latest.

Kelly, good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

Those three Palestinian leaders arrived at the White House just about 15 minutes ago. They are now meeting with President Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. Then they will head to the State Department to meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell. The goal of the meeting, according ti U.S. officials, working on implementing democratic reforms, restructuring the Palestinian security force, and, as you said, paving the way for new leadership. This the first meeting really between Palestinian officials and this White House since President Bush made it clear back in June he believes Yasser Arafat needs to step to the side in order for there to be one day a Palestinian state.

The problem is these Palestinian leaders, even before this meeting, they are rejecting President Bush's call for Yasser Arafat to be replaced.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: You speak about a Palestinian leadership that was elected in a free and fair election that should not lead the Palestinians any more. That cannot be acceptable because we all know the alternative to Arafat is chaos.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the Palestinian leaders will also convey to Condoleezza Rice and Secretary Powell that they are doing everything they possibly can to crack down on terrorism. But Daryn, you have heard from President Bush and other senior aides, they have been very frustrated with what they have seen from the Palestinian Authority, and they believe officials can do a lot more to crack down on militants -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly, it's one thing to talk about who is meeting, but let's talk who is not meeting. The president has made it very clear that he has no interest in talking to Yasser Arafat. Of course, he is not in town. But would he be interested in meeting with this level of leadership?

WALLACE: Well, U.S. officials describe these leaders as, quote, "reform-minded individuals," clearly individuals this administration thinks it can work with to pave the way for democratic reforms and pave the way for a Palestinian state. There is no question President Bush will not be meeting with Yasser Arafat. He has made it very clear he thinks Yasser Arafat needs to go.

But it is really a bit of a quandary for this White House, Daryn, because these Palestinian leaders are saying something else. They are saying Yasser Arafat, right now at least, is their man, and they will have elections, and he could presumably be once again elected as the leader of the Palestinian people.

So it is a difficulty for this White House. Clearly, the White House officials are choosing to work with some officials within the Palestinian government, but officials they believe can pave the way to those reforms -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace, at the White House. Kelly, thank you.

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