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CNN Live Today
Arafat, Abu Mazen Agree on Reform Cabinet
Aired April 23, 2003 - 10:34 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: Right now, we want to go to this developing story taking place in the Middle East, a significant development in the leadership of the Palestinian people.
Let's go to our Kelly Wallace right now, who is standing by -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, you're aware of this ongoing power struggle between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and prime minister-designate Abu Mazen. The word from Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, is that the dispute has been settled, an agreement has been reached and a cabinet has been approved by Yasser Arafat.
We understand also that the speaker of the Palestinian parliament has been notified, just about seven hours before the Wednesday midnight deadline, and that the Palestinian parliament will convene a meeting early next week to consider Abu Mazen's cabinet.
It has been a day of dramatic diplomatic development. The Egyptian enjoy, Omar Siluman (ph), the intelligence chief, was shuttling between Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen throughout the day, and then late this afternoon, he brought Abu Mazen here to Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound with word of a breakthrough.
Joining Abu Mazen, Muhammed Daklan (ph). This man has really been at the center of the dispute, because Abu Mazen wanted him to head up security in his new cabinet. He is someone one who fell out favor with Yasser Arafat more than a year ago. Arafat was objecting to the appointment.
We understand, it appears, a compromise has been reached. that Daklan (ph) will be a minister of a new position, minister of state, responsible for security affairs, that the prime minister will be Abu Mazen, and he will also hold the title of interior minister, meaning he also will play a key role when it comes to security.
This has really been a dramatic and fierce power struggle between the two men, the two veterans, Palestinian leaders, Abu Mazen, storming out of a meeting Saturday might with Yasser Arafat, angry, believing Arafat would not give up power when it comes to control of the Palestinian Authority.
All along the way, the stakes were very, very huge because the United States and Great Britain have said that until Abu Mazen's cabinets is approved by the Palestinian parliament, there would be no publication of that so-called road map for Middle East peace, paving the way for the creation of a Palestinian state.
So the word is, there is an agreement. Now the Palestinian parliament will have to approve this cabinet, and then, of course, the possible publication of the road map. We are expecting, Daryn, to hear from Abu Mazen, and possibly President Arafat, before the day is out.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: And when that happens, we know you'll bring that to us. In Ramallah, Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.
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 April 23, 2003 - 10:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, we want to go to this developing story taking place in the Middle East, a significant development in the leadership of the Palestinian people.
Let's go to our Kelly Wallace right now, who is standing by -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, you're aware of this ongoing power struggle between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and prime minister-designate Abu Mazen. The word from Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, is that the dispute has been settled, an agreement has been reached and a cabinet has been approved by Yasser Arafat.
We understand also that the speaker of the Palestinian parliament has been notified, just about seven hours before the Wednesday midnight deadline, and that the Palestinian parliament will convene a meeting early next week to consider Abu Mazen's cabinet.
It has been a day of dramatic diplomatic development. The Egyptian enjoy, Omar Siluman (ph), the intelligence chief, was shuttling between Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen throughout the day, and then late this afternoon, he brought Abu Mazen here to Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound with word of a breakthrough.
Joining Abu Mazen, Muhammed Daklan (ph). This man has really been at the center of the dispute, because Abu Mazen wanted him to head up security in his new cabinet. He is someone one who fell out favor with Yasser Arafat more than a year ago. Arafat was objecting to the appointment.
We understand, it appears, a compromise has been reached. that Daklan (ph) will be a minister of a new position, minister of state, responsible for security affairs, that the prime minister will be Abu Mazen, and he will also hold the title of interior minister, meaning he also will play a key role when it comes to security.
This has really been a dramatic and fierce power struggle between the two men, the two veterans, Palestinian leaders, Abu Mazen, storming out of a meeting Saturday might with Yasser Arafat, angry, believing Arafat would not give up power when it comes to control of the Palestinian Authority.
All along the way, the stakes were very, very huge because the United States and Great Britain have said that until Abu Mazen's cabinets is approved by the Palestinian parliament, there would be no publication of that so-called road map for Middle East peace, paving the way for the creation of a Palestinian state.
So the word is, there is an agreement. Now the Palestinian parliament will have to approve this cabinet, and then, of course, the possible publication of the road map. We are expecting, Daryn, to hear from Abu Mazen, and possibly President Arafat, before the day is out.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: And when that happens, we know you'll bring that to us. In Ramallah, Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
