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CNN Live At Daybreak

Crisis in the Middle East

Aired June 23, 2003 - 05:32   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: Turning now to the crisis in the Middle East. Four Palestinian militants were killed overnight in an explosion in the Gaza Strip. This comes amid more efforts at getting peace efforts back on track.
For more on that, let's go live to Jerrold Kessel in Jerusalem.

Good morning, Jerrold.

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Carol.

And it really is that same equation, violence versus those peace endeavors to get those peace initiative up and running. And the big question, is it all coming together at last? Perhaps. Or is it all falling a part.

Well, looking at the violence on the ground, seems to be all falling apart after Israel's killing of a leading Hamas man in Hebron, on the West Bank, night before last. Last night, four Palestinian militants killed in the northern part of Gaza. Disputed circumstances, at first, about how they died, whether they were preparing a bomb or Israel had shelled them.

Israel denied that there was any attack by its side. And, the Palestinians, indications are that they were definitely the members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, that mainstream radical group that had been trying to prepare a bomb against the Israeli forces occupying that part of Gaza. And they may have died when the bomb exploded prematurely. That's seems to be the indication, although the Al Aqsa are still saying they were shot by the Israelis.

But despite this latest violence, despite his strictures about that Israeli action night before last, Colin Powell, U.S. secretary of state, speaking at the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea in Jordan, remains fairly upbeat, undeterred by the violence. And saying there is still a chance that the peace initiative will take root.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: As we go forward, as we try to achieve a transfer of responsibility for Gaza, let's say, we would hope that both sides would cooperate in identifying terrorists who might be indenting to do harm in either direction, sharing information, sharing intelligence.

We have seen this done in the past and we hope to recreate those kinds of mechanisms and organizations so that both sides believe that they have a shared responsibility to end terrorism and violence that is frustrating the dreams, hopes and desires of both sides.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KESSEL: As Mr. Powell was suggesting there are two axis on which these efforts are proceeding. The attempt on the Palestinian side to get some kind of formal ceasefire in place, with Hamas signing on board what the Palestinian Authority wants to do and convince it to stop, at least temporarily, its attacks on Israelis. And a formal agreement between Israel and the Palestinians whereby Israeli forces will withdraw from some areas, like that part of northern Gaza, and Palestinian security come in, instead.

That is the effort being made. And it is interesting, Carol, to hear Mr. Powell, or see remarks attributed to him in an Israeli newspaper this morning saying, the next two weeks will crucial. If we don't succeed in getting it going then, then there may not be any hopes for salvaging this peace initiative.

Carol.

COSTELLO: Interesting, indeed. Jerrold Kessel, live from Jerusalem this morning.

The White House is growing impatient with Israel's refusal to stop targeting Palestinian individuals it considers security threats. You heard Jerrold just mention that. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux details the administration's concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House insists Hamas is the obstacle to Middle East peace.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For those who want peace to go forward, we must combine our efforts to prevent people like Hamas from sabotaging peace.

MALVEAUX: But the frustration for the U.S. now is with Israel. The Bush administration believes Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is on the verge of winning a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, but that Israel's policy of targeting and killing Hamas leaders is derailing any possibility of a truce.

Less than two weeks ago, Israel unsuccessfully tried to assassinate a Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantissi. The White House quickly condemned the attack.

But Saturday, Israel killed another top Hamas militant in Hebron. Israel insists soldiers were trying to arrest him. But even so, Secretary Powell, in the region, expressed concern.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I regret that one again, we had an incident that could be an impediment to progress.

MALVEAUX: An Israeli official maintained it was justified. RAANAN GISSIN, ISRAELI P.M. SPOKESMAN: There's a clear understanding that when it comes to issues that have to do with a life and security of the citizens of Israel, we'll be the ones who are responsible for that. And we will take the necessary action to do that.

MALVEAUX: One U.S. lawmaker is actively lobbying Israel to take a new approach in cracking down on terrorism by extraditing Palestinians who have killed Americans in Israel to the United States. Where they could face the death penalty for their crimes.

Senator Arlen Specter, first announced on CNN, that he has contacted Israel's prime minister and its attorney general seeking Israel's cooperation in at least two cases of convicted Palestinian terrorists. One of them Hassan Salame (ph), convicted for his role in a 1996 bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 25, three of them Americans.

SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: The United States would be helping Israel in Israel's war on terrorism And we would be vindicating a very important United States interest when our citizens are being murdered abroad by Palestinian terrorists.

MALVEAUX (on camera): Secretary Powell acknowledged that Israel is justified in going after Palestinian terrorists who are ticking bombs, those who are active in planning upcoming attacks. But the role of Hamas is still in dispute. U.S. and Palestinians, for now, are hoping for a cease-fire agreement while Israel insists that Hamas must be completely dismantled.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 23, 2003 - 05:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to the crisis in the Middle East. Four Palestinian militants were killed overnight in an explosion in the Gaza Strip. This comes amid more efforts at getting peace efforts back on track.
For more on that, let's go live to Jerrold Kessel in Jerusalem.

Good morning, Jerrold.

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Carol.

And it really is that same equation, violence versus those peace endeavors to get those peace initiative up and running. And the big question, is it all coming together at last? Perhaps. Or is it all falling a part.

Well, looking at the violence on the ground, seems to be all falling apart after Israel's killing of a leading Hamas man in Hebron, on the West Bank, night before last. Last night, four Palestinian militants killed in the northern part of Gaza. Disputed circumstances, at first, about how they died, whether they were preparing a bomb or Israel had shelled them.

Israel denied that there was any attack by its side. And, the Palestinians, indications are that they were definitely the members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, that mainstream radical group that had been trying to prepare a bomb against the Israeli forces occupying that part of Gaza. And they may have died when the bomb exploded prematurely. That's seems to be the indication, although the Al Aqsa are still saying they were shot by the Israelis.

But despite this latest violence, despite his strictures about that Israeli action night before last, Colin Powell, U.S. secretary of state, speaking at the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea in Jordan, remains fairly upbeat, undeterred by the violence. And saying there is still a chance that the peace initiative will take root.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: As we go forward, as we try to achieve a transfer of responsibility for Gaza, let's say, we would hope that both sides would cooperate in identifying terrorists who might be indenting to do harm in either direction, sharing information, sharing intelligence.

We have seen this done in the past and we hope to recreate those kinds of mechanisms and organizations so that both sides believe that they have a shared responsibility to end terrorism and violence that is frustrating the dreams, hopes and desires of both sides.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KESSEL: As Mr. Powell was suggesting there are two axis on which these efforts are proceeding. The attempt on the Palestinian side to get some kind of formal ceasefire in place, with Hamas signing on board what the Palestinian Authority wants to do and convince it to stop, at least temporarily, its attacks on Israelis. And a formal agreement between Israel and the Palestinians whereby Israeli forces will withdraw from some areas, like that part of northern Gaza, and Palestinian security come in, instead.

That is the effort being made. And it is interesting, Carol, to hear Mr. Powell, or see remarks attributed to him in an Israeli newspaper this morning saying, the next two weeks will crucial. If we don't succeed in getting it going then, then there may not be any hopes for salvaging this peace initiative.

Carol.

COSTELLO: Interesting, indeed. Jerrold Kessel, live from Jerusalem this morning.

The White House is growing impatient with Israel's refusal to stop targeting Palestinian individuals it considers security threats. You heard Jerrold just mention that. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux details the administration's concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House insists Hamas is the obstacle to Middle East peace.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For those who want peace to go forward, we must combine our efforts to prevent people like Hamas from sabotaging peace.

MALVEAUX: But the frustration for the U.S. now is with Israel. The Bush administration believes Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is on the verge of winning a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, but that Israel's policy of targeting and killing Hamas leaders is derailing any possibility of a truce.

Less than two weeks ago, Israel unsuccessfully tried to assassinate a Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantissi. The White House quickly condemned the attack.

But Saturday, Israel killed another top Hamas militant in Hebron. Israel insists soldiers were trying to arrest him. But even so, Secretary Powell, in the region, expressed concern.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I regret that one again, we had an incident that could be an impediment to progress.

MALVEAUX: An Israeli official maintained it was justified. RAANAN GISSIN, ISRAELI P.M. SPOKESMAN: There's a clear understanding that when it comes to issues that have to do with a life and security of the citizens of Israel, we'll be the ones who are responsible for that. And we will take the necessary action to do that.

MALVEAUX: One U.S. lawmaker is actively lobbying Israel to take a new approach in cracking down on terrorism by extraditing Palestinians who have killed Americans in Israel to the United States. Where they could face the death penalty for their crimes.

Senator Arlen Specter, first announced on CNN, that he has contacted Israel's prime minister and its attorney general seeking Israel's cooperation in at least two cases of convicted Palestinian terrorists. One of them Hassan Salame (ph), convicted for his role in a 1996 bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 25, three of them Americans.

SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: The United States would be helping Israel in Israel's war on terrorism And we would be vindicating a very important United States interest when our citizens are being murdered abroad by Palestinian terrorists.

MALVEAUX (on camera): Secretary Powell acknowledged that Israel is justified in going after Palestinian terrorists who are ticking bombs, those who are active in planning upcoming attacks. But the role of Hamas is still in dispute. U.S. and Palestinians, for now, are hoping for a cease-fire agreement while Israel insists that Hamas must be completely dismantled.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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