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CNN Live At Daybreak

Israel's Ongoing Withdrawal From Bethlehem

Aired July 02, 2003 - 05:31   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: Another big story we're working on this morning, the Middle East. Israel's ongoing withdrawal from the little town of Bethlehem.
CNN's Dan Lothian is in the West Bank city where Israeli troops have been packing duffel bags and loading up their trucks -- good morning, Dan.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, I'm on Major Square. And bustling activity behind me and a sense of anticipation in the air as, as you mentioned, Israeli troops expected to withdraw from Bethlehem some time today, expect in probably in about three and a half hours or so, handing over security to the Palestinian Authority. Already young recruits have been getting into shape in order to take their posts.

Now, this is not the first time that Israeli troops have pulled out of Bethlehem. They did so almost a year ago in August, but returned almost three months later because of security concerns, Israeli officials trying to crack down on militant activity.

Now, this withdrawal will be less than visible because Israeli troops for the past few months or so have been on the outskirts of the city, coming into the city only to make arrests or to conduct routine patrols.

But nonetheless, there is that sense of anticipation, although, as we spoke to some of the people here in Bethlehem, they still have a lot of skepticism, many people fearing that the Israeli troops will be returning to Bethlehem soon, one pharmacist telling me that it will be weeks before he can celebrate.

This all comes one day after both prime ministers met in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian prime minister, meeting, shaking hands, publicly talking about their vow to continue fighting to make sure that this peace process moves forward. Ariel Sharon even going as far as saying that he is willing to make major concessions in order to keep the peace process on track -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I was just looking at the pictures of them smiling and shaking hands. Quite unusual. Israeli troops won't be far from Bethlehem, though. They're on the outskirts of the city now, is that correct?

LOTHIAN: That is correct. Once the pullout happens, they will be on the outskirts, for the most part, on the outskirts of the city. But Israeli troops will still be manning the checkpoint, the main route that comes into Bethlehem. They still will be manning that checkpoint and for some of the people we've talked to here in Bethlehem, they say that they really won't have their freedom as long as the Israelis are there. They won't to see them gone altogether.

COSTELLO: Dan Lothian reporting live from Manger Square in Bethlehem this morning.

Log onto cnn.com for an in depth report on this land of conflict. View time lines, maps and profiles of the key players, as well as get a detailed explanation of the road map for peace. AOL keyword, of course, CNN.

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 July 2, 2003 - 05:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Another big story we're working on this morning, the Middle East. Israel's ongoing withdrawal from the little town of Bethlehem.
CNN's Dan Lothian is in the West Bank city where Israeli troops have been packing duffel bags and loading up their trucks -- good morning, Dan.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, I'm on Major Square. And bustling activity behind me and a sense of anticipation in the air as, as you mentioned, Israeli troops expected to withdraw from Bethlehem some time today, expect in probably in about three and a half hours or so, handing over security to the Palestinian Authority. Already young recruits have been getting into shape in order to take their posts.

Now, this is not the first time that Israeli troops have pulled out of Bethlehem. They did so almost a year ago in August, but returned almost three months later because of security concerns, Israeli officials trying to crack down on militant activity.

Now, this withdrawal will be less than visible because Israeli troops for the past few months or so have been on the outskirts of the city, coming into the city only to make arrests or to conduct routine patrols.

But nonetheless, there is that sense of anticipation, although, as we spoke to some of the people here in Bethlehem, they still have a lot of skepticism, many people fearing that the Israeli troops will be returning to Bethlehem soon, one pharmacist telling me that it will be weeks before he can celebrate.

This all comes one day after both prime ministers met in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian prime minister, meeting, shaking hands, publicly talking about their vow to continue fighting to make sure that this peace process moves forward. Ariel Sharon even going as far as saying that he is willing to make major concessions in order to keep the peace process on track -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I was just looking at the pictures of them smiling and shaking hands. Quite unusual. Israeli troops won't be far from Bethlehem, though. They're on the outskirts of the city now, is that correct?

LOTHIAN: That is correct. Once the pullout happens, they will be on the outskirts, for the most part, on the outskirts of the city. But Israeli troops will still be manning the checkpoint, the main route that comes into Bethlehem. They still will be manning that checkpoint and for some of the people we've talked to here in Bethlehem, they say that they really won't have their freedom as long as the Israelis are there. They won't to see them gone altogether.

COSTELLO: Dan Lothian reporting live from Manger Square in Bethlehem this morning.

Log onto cnn.com for an in depth report on this land of conflict. View time lines, maps and profiles of the key players, as well as get a detailed explanation of the road map for peace. AOL keyword, of course, CNN.

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