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CNN Live At Daybreak
International Wrap, Eye on World
Aired June 09, 2003 - 06:36 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: More violence in the Middle East over the weekend. There has been intense pressure on the Palestinian prime minister to stop the terror attacks, and now comes word that three terror groups have united in an attack.
So, can we assume there are more coordinated attacks to come?
Our senior international editor, David Clinch, joins us live now to tell us what we can expect in today's coverage, and about Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Brigades all joining together to conduct a terror attack.
DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Absolutely. A terror attack directed against Israelis, obviously a military target, but in some ways directed specifically at Prime Minister Abbas himself. They were being asked by him to have talks about a cease- fire. Not only have they rejected that, they've aimed an attack directly at the Israelis, rejecting his appeal for a cease-fire and in some ways undermining his leadership.
And as we cover this story -- Abbas under pressure from extremists on his side, Sharon under pressure from extremists on their side -- three things I think we need to be very conscious of. These two men under pressure, it's not just political pressure. History tells us -- recent history tells us their lives could be at stake. These people are not politicians that they are dealing with. They are extremists. We need to remember that as we cover Abbas and Sharon.
We also need to remember -- we talked about President Bush last week being there in the region, looking them in the eye, saying he'd "ride herd" on this process. I think we have to say he impressed them face to face. He did say he'd be there. He did say he'd follow through. Now we have to see. He's sending a special envoy. John Wolf will arrive in the region later in the week.
But, again, I think the point that was made last week is President Bush, his personality, his force of will driving this process. Is he prepared to stay personally involved?
And then, finally, I think the thing that we always need to remember -- if we get numb to this, our audience gets numb to this, we're missing the point -- people are dying on both sides every day. It's not just politics.
COSTELLO: Well, it just seems like an impossible situation. Only last week we heard Mahmoud Abbas was actually negotiating with Hamas to stop the violence, and Hamas just comes out and changes its mind.
CLINCH: Yes. Again, the point that I've made many, many times -- I'll make it again -- it's not the end of the process. President Bush asking for patience. We are patient in our coverage of this. Every time there is an attack it doesnt fall apart.
COSTELLO: David Clinch, many thanks. We'll let you get back to work.
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 June 9, 2003 - 06:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: More violence in the Middle East over the weekend. There has been intense pressure on the Palestinian prime minister to stop the terror attacks, and now comes word that three terror groups have united in an attack.
So, can we assume there are more coordinated attacks to come?
Our senior international editor, David Clinch, joins us live now to tell us what we can expect in today's coverage, and about Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Brigades all joining together to conduct a terror attack.
DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Absolutely. A terror attack directed against Israelis, obviously a military target, but in some ways directed specifically at Prime Minister Abbas himself. They were being asked by him to have talks about a cease- fire. Not only have they rejected that, they've aimed an attack directly at the Israelis, rejecting his appeal for a cease-fire and in some ways undermining his leadership.
And as we cover this story -- Abbas under pressure from extremists on his side, Sharon under pressure from extremists on their side -- three things I think we need to be very conscious of. These two men under pressure, it's not just political pressure. History tells us -- recent history tells us their lives could be at stake. These people are not politicians that they are dealing with. They are extremists. We need to remember that as we cover Abbas and Sharon.
We also need to remember -- we talked about President Bush last week being there in the region, looking them in the eye, saying he'd "ride herd" on this process. I think we have to say he impressed them face to face. He did say he'd be there. He did say he'd follow through. Now we have to see. He's sending a special envoy. John Wolf will arrive in the region later in the week.
But, again, I think the point that was made last week is President Bush, his personality, his force of will driving this process. Is he prepared to stay personally involved?
And then, finally, I think the thing that we always need to remember -- if we get numb to this, our audience gets numb to this, we're missing the point -- people are dying on both sides every day. It's not just politics.
COSTELLO: Well, it just seems like an impossible situation. Only last week we heard Mahmoud Abbas was actually negotiating with Hamas to stop the violence, and Hamas just comes out and changes its mind.
CLINCH: Yes. Again, the point that I've made many, many times -- I'll make it again -- it's not the end of the process. President Bush asking for patience. We are patient in our coverage of this. Every time there is an attack it doesnt fall apart.
COSTELLO: David Clinch, many thanks. We'll let you get back to work.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
