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CNN Live At Daybreak

Step Toward Middle East Peace?

Aired May 30, 2003 - 06:06   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: As the president makes his way to talk diplomacy, what will the Israelis and Palestinians offer him as proof that they are on the road to peace? There was, of course, that two-and-a-half meeting between Prime Minister Sharon and Abbas.
Were there any breakthroughs? We take you live to Jerusalem to ask CNN's Mike Hanna.

Good morning -- Mike.

MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.

Too soon to say if there were any breakthroughs, but certainly it was, according to both sides, an amicable meeting, one that produced positive results, and Israel saying that it's prepared to take certain measures in terms of easing the plight of Palestinians. The Palestinian leader saying that it is possible, he believes, to forge a cease-fire with Palestinian militant groups.

But let's first of all hear from the Israeli viewpoint of how the meeting went.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK SOFER, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKESMAN: Well, the meeting yesterday was certainly a positive meeting, and encouraging I would say, yes. The two sides looked very closely at some of the major and immediate issues that could be tackled. From our point of view what is crucial is how the Palestinians are going to take the bull by the horns and fight terrorism, but we also want to alleviate as much as we possibly can the situation for the Palestinians uninvolved in terror on the ground. And that was the thrust of yesterday's meeting, and it was certainly positive and encouraging.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNA: Both sides now looking forward to the meeting due to take place in Jordan next week with U.S. President George W. Bush.

And this is how the Palestinians are feeling following the talks between the prime ministers last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NABIL AMR, PALESTINIAN SPOKESMAN: I think it was a positive meeting and positive results. For the domestic issues, I think there is an Israeli (UNINTELLIGIBLE) will take place, especially within days, if not more, at a political level. I think we will go to Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba with a positive atmosphere with positive positions to help President Bush in his deep involvement in the Middle East issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNA: Expected at that meeting next week, a declaration from Israelis and Palestinians, recognizing the rights of the others to statehood and to security -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Hanna live Jerusalem, many thanks.

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 May 30, 2003 - 06:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As the president makes his way to talk diplomacy, what will the Israelis and Palestinians offer him as proof that they are on the road to peace? There was, of course, that two-and-a-half meeting between Prime Minister Sharon and Abbas.
Were there any breakthroughs? We take you live to Jerusalem to ask CNN's Mike Hanna.

Good morning -- Mike.

MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.

Too soon to say if there were any breakthroughs, but certainly it was, according to both sides, an amicable meeting, one that produced positive results, and Israel saying that it's prepared to take certain measures in terms of easing the plight of Palestinians. The Palestinian leader saying that it is possible, he believes, to forge a cease-fire with Palestinian militant groups.

But let's first of all hear from the Israeli viewpoint of how the meeting went.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK SOFER, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKESMAN: Well, the meeting yesterday was certainly a positive meeting, and encouraging I would say, yes. The two sides looked very closely at some of the major and immediate issues that could be tackled. From our point of view what is crucial is how the Palestinians are going to take the bull by the horns and fight terrorism, but we also want to alleviate as much as we possibly can the situation for the Palestinians uninvolved in terror on the ground. And that was the thrust of yesterday's meeting, and it was certainly positive and encouraging.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNA: Both sides now looking forward to the meeting due to take place in Jordan next week with U.S. President George W. Bush.

And this is how the Palestinians are feeling following the talks between the prime ministers last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NABIL AMR, PALESTINIAN SPOKESMAN: I think it was a positive meeting and positive results. For the domestic issues, I think there is an Israeli (UNINTELLIGIBLE) will take place, especially within days, if not more, at a political level. I think we will go to Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba with a positive atmosphere with positive positions to help President Bush in his deep involvement in the Middle East issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNA: Expected at that meeting next week, a declaration from Israelis and Palestinians, recognizing the rights of the others to statehood and to security -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Hanna live Jerusalem, many thanks.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.