Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Israeli Troops Pull Back From Arafat's Compound
Aired September 29, 2002 - 07:48 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, we're going to try Ben Wedeman again, who's joining us from Ramallah with the very latest on the situation there. Ben, can you hear me?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I can hear you. The situation I just got out of the building in which Mr. Arafat is. He answered a few of our questions. Basically, his position is that despite the fact that the Israeli forces do seem to departed his compound, Mr. Arafat does not consider this a proper withdrawal from the area, since they are still arrayed outside the perimeter of what was once this compound.
Their position is also that given that this, you know, partial withdrawal a few meters back. And Mr. Arafat's words that this does not represent the sort of implementation of the Security Council resolution that was passed last week, that called for Israel to depart the compound.
Mr. Arafat looked quite drawn and pale. He's been in there for now 11 days at least. And he wasn't in a very good mood either. I asked him if there were any discussions, any possibility that they would be talking to the Israelis about handing over these people that the Israelis have on their wanted list. When I asked that question, he became quite upset. He said, how could you -- how dare you ask that question. General Arafat is (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
But it does appear at this point that they have not reached any agreement to hand over the people Israel is asking for. So the Israelis -- the standoff essentially continues.
CALLAWAY: Ben, you're breaking up just a little bit. I want to make sure we understand. Exactly how far have they pulled back?
WEDEMAN: Basically, they've pulled to the other side of the perimeter of the compound, which is only 30 or so, 40 meters from the building where Mr. Arafat is. Now I just emerged from the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) side the building. So I cannot see at this point from where I'm standing, which is right in the middle of the compound. I cannot see any Israeli forces, but until about 40 minutes ago, there were still several Jeeps and an armored personnel carrier are in the outside of the compound.
CALLAWAY: No one has been allowed to leave? And has anyone been allowed in since they've pulled back? WEDEMAN: Well, at this point, anybody can come in. And there's a large crowd not far from me, demonstrating their support for the Palestinian leader. The many, many journalists who have been waiting for a long time to get in are crawling all over the ruins here. So certainly it's easy for people to get in. And probably at this point not too difficult for people to get out either.
CALLAWAY: All right, Ben Wedeman reporting from Ramallah. Thank you, Ben.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 29, 2002 - 07:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, we're going to try Ben Wedeman again, who's joining us from Ramallah with the very latest on the situation there. Ben, can you hear me?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I can hear you. The situation I just got out of the building in which Mr. Arafat is. He answered a few of our questions. Basically, his position is that despite the fact that the Israeli forces do seem to departed his compound, Mr. Arafat does not consider this a proper withdrawal from the area, since they are still arrayed outside the perimeter of what was once this compound.
Their position is also that given that this, you know, partial withdrawal a few meters back. And Mr. Arafat's words that this does not represent the sort of implementation of the Security Council resolution that was passed last week, that called for Israel to depart the compound.
Mr. Arafat looked quite drawn and pale. He's been in there for now 11 days at least. And he wasn't in a very good mood either. I asked him if there were any discussions, any possibility that they would be talking to the Israelis about handing over these people that the Israelis have on their wanted list. When I asked that question, he became quite upset. He said, how could you -- how dare you ask that question. General Arafat is (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
But it does appear at this point that they have not reached any agreement to hand over the people Israel is asking for. So the Israelis -- the standoff essentially continues.
CALLAWAY: Ben, you're breaking up just a little bit. I want to make sure we understand. Exactly how far have they pulled back?
WEDEMAN: Basically, they've pulled to the other side of the perimeter of the compound, which is only 30 or so, 40 meters from the building where Mr. Arafat is. Now I just emerged from the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) side the building. So I cannot see at this point from where I'm standing, which is right in the middle of the compound. I cannot see any Israeli forces, but until about 40 minutes ago, there were still several Jeeps and an armored personnel carrier are in the outside of the compound.
CALLAWAY: No one has been allowed to leave? And has anyone been allowed in since they've pulled back? WEDEMAN: Well, at this point, anybody can come in. And there's a large crowd not far from me, demonstrating their support for the Palestinian leader. The many, many journalists who have been waiting for a long time to get in are crawling all over the ruins here. So certainly it's easy for people to get in. And probably at this point not too difficult for people to get out either.
CALLAWAY: All right, Ben Wedeman reporting from Ramallah. Thank you, Ben.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
