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CNN Live At Daybreak
Details on Approval of Abu Mazen
Aired April 30, 2003 - 05:33 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get more details now on the approval of Abu Mazen as the first prime minister for the Palestinians. Just what does it mean for peace after three Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing just last night in Tel Aviv?
For that, we turn to our Kelly Wallace, who is in the West Bank city of Ramallah -- good morning, Kelly.
So what does it mean for peace in the region?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, it's a big question. What it certainly means is there are tremendous challenges ahead for the new prime minister, Abu Mazen, who just moments ago was sworn in along with his 24 member cabinet. This was really supposed to be, Palestinians say, a real celebratory day, a real development, a huge movement when it comes to Palestinian leadership. But overshadowed by the overnight bombing, the suicide bombing, as you mentioned, outside a Tel Aviv cafe.
A lot of attention now is, now that the road map has been, now that the Abu Mazen has been sworn in, when exactly will that road map for Middle East peace be released? And my colleagues are telling me that the U.N. envoy to the Middle East just announced moments ago that he will present the road map to Abu Mazen at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. The expectation is that there will be a representative who will be presenting it to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
The big questions then, Carol, what happens next? Because this road map is calling for the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005, but it's calling for both sides to take reciprocal steps almost immediately. The Palestinians want to see this road map implemented right away, but already the Israelis are saying they want more than a dozen changes made. And, Carol, they're also saying they want to see an end to violence such as the attack committed by, it appears, two radical Palestinian groups overnight come to an end before taking any other steps -- Carol.
COSTELLO: But what about reciprocal action by the Israelis, because Israel has already come out and said that the government of Abu Mazen is an utter failure and really he hasn't started running the government just yet.
WALLACE: No question. The Israelis, though, are facing some pressure from the Americans, who want to see Israel take some steps to bolster and improve the peace process and the environment for a resumption in peace negotiations. The Israelis have said, though, steps such as pulling out of some Palestinians towns and easing travel restrictions will not happen, the say, until they see tangible evidence on the ground that Abu Mazen and his security team are cracking down on these radical Palestinian groups.
Again, though, the Israelis likely to face pressure, including possibly pressure coming from Secretary of State Colin Powell when he visits this region soon, to take some steps to improve the environment and, again, to pave the way for peace. We'll have to watch and see what happens -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Kelly Wallace reporting live from Ramallah this morning.
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 30, 2003 - 05:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get more details now on the approval of Abu Mazen as the first prime minister for the Palestinians. Just what does it mean for peace after three Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing just last night in Tel Aviv?
For that, we turn to our Kelly Wallace, who is in the West Bank city of Ramallah -- good morning, Kelly.
So what does it mean for peace in the region?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, it's a big question. What it certainly means is there are tremendous challenges ahead for the new prime minister, Abu Mazen, who just moments ago was sworn in along with his 24 member cabinet. This was really supposed to be, Palestinians say, a real celebratory day, a real development, a huge movement when it comes to Palestinian leadership. But overshadowed by the overnight bombing, the suicide bombing, as you mentioned, outside a Tel Aviv cafe.
A lot of attention now is, now that the road map has been, now that the Abu Mazen has been sworn in, when exactly will that road map for Middle East peace be released? And my colleagues are telling me that the U.N. envoy to the Middle East just announced moments ago that he will present the road map to Abu Mazen at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. The expectation is that there will be a representative who will be presenting it to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
The big questions then, Carol, what happens next? Because this road map is calling for the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005, but it's calling for both sides to take reciprocal steps almost immediately. The Palestinians want to see this road map implemented right away, but already the Israelis are saying they want more than a dozen changes made. And, Carol, they're also saying they want to see an end to violence such as the attack committed by, it appears, two radical Palestinian groups overnight come to an end before taking any other steps -- Carol.
COSTELLO: But what about reciprocal action by the Israelis, because Israel has already come out and said that the government of Abu Mazen is an utter failure and really he hasn't started running the government just yet.
WALLACE: No question. The Israelis, though, are facing some pressure from the Americans, who want to see Israel take some steps to bolster and improve the peace process and the environment for a resumption in peace negotiations. The Israelis have said, though, steps such as pulling out of some Palestinians towns and easing travel restrictions will not happen, the say, until they see tangible evidence on the ground that Abu Mazen and his security team are cracking down on these radical Palestinian groups.
Again, though, the Israelis likely to face pressure, including possibly pressure coming from Secretary of State Colin Powell when he visits this region soon, to take some steps to improve the environment and, again, to pave the way for peace. We'll have to watch and see what happens -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Kelly Wallace reporting live from Ramallah this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
