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CNN Live At Daybreak

International Wrap: Middle East Peace Process

Aired June 11, 2003 - 06:33   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: Egypt is also sending over someone to talk to Palestinian authorities.
Our senior international editor, David Clinch, is here to talk more about that.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes, Carol, good morning.

I mean, as John King was mentioning there, he brought up the reference again of President Bush having said in Aqaba to the leaders, directly to Prime Minister Sharon and to Prime Minister Abbas that he would "ride herd" on this process. I think we can say the herd is officially spooked right now, both sides very, very nervous after this attack. The Israelis saying that they'll hand over intelligence indicating that Rantissi was a legitimate target.

That brings up the point that the Americans are very aware of that in the past when the Israelis have targeted specific terrorists, the Americans have had a very hard time criticizing them for that, because in their war against terror the Israelis are hitting what they see to be -- what they always describe as legitimate terror targets.

So, when they hit this man, it, again, creates a complication for the Bush administration. They -- the U.S. administration -- don't see Rantissi as a legitimate target. The Israelis saying that they'll supply evidence that says he is.

So, I think, you know, in riding herd, in trying to guide this process back, President Bush is going to need all of the skills of a Texan cowboy basically, but not just a hard line; also a very subtle, very quiet, behind-the-scenes talking to both sides, trying to get them to come back in line.

COSTELLO: Well, we'll see.

CLINCH: A very, very difficult process.

COSTELLO: Yes, we'll see what the envoy can do.

CLINCH: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Thank very much, David Clinch.

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 11, 2003 - 06:33   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Egypt is also sending over someone to talk to Palestinian authorities.
Our senior international editor, David Clinch, is here to talk more about that.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes, Carol, good morning.

I mean, as John King was mentioning there, he brought up the reference again of President Bush having said in Aqaba to the leaders, directly to Prime Minister Sharon and to Prime Minister Abbas that he would "ride herd" on this process. I think we can say the herd is officially spooked right now, both sides very, very nervous after this attack. The Israelis saying that they'll hand over intelligence indicating that Rantissi was a legitimate target.

That brings up the point that the Americans are very aware of that in the past when the Israelis have targeted specific terrorists, the Americans have had a very hard time criticizing them for that, because in their war against terror the Israelis are hitting what they see to be -- what they always describe as legitimate terror targets.

So, when they hit this man, it, again, creates a complication for the Bush administration. They -- the U.S. administration -- don't see Rantissi as a legitimate target. The Israelis saying that they'll supply evidence that says he is.

So, I think, you know, in riding herd, in trying to guide this process back, President Bush is going to need all of the skills of a Texan cowboy basically, but not just a hard line; also a very subtle, very quiet, behind-the-scenes talking to both sides, trying to get them to come back in line.

COSTELLO: Well, we'll see.

CLINCH: A very, very difficult process.

COSTELLO: Yes, we'll see what the envoy can do.

CLINCH: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Thank very much, David Clinch.

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