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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview With Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat

Aired September 04, 2003 - 06:02   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now to another tense location -- a very tense location in the Middle East. Today marks a milestone for Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas: his first 100 days in office. And it's been a rough ride on that road map to peace.
For the latest, we go live to our Michael Holmes in Ramallah with an explainer on just how rough it's been.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, thanks very much.

Yes, it was a moment of truth in a way for the prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas. He has his difficulties it comes to credibility, difficulties in implanting pretty much anything at the moment, and there are differences between him and the Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat.

I want to bring in for some analysis now Saeb Erakat, a familiar face to many people, now again being tasked with the job of negotiating whatever comes next.

Now, did this address by Mahmoud Abbas help him, hurt him? Where does it leave him?

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: I think this was a good process. I think Mr. Abbas came to the council, as he was supposed to do, and submitted a full report on the first 100 days of his cabinet. Immediately now we will motion (UNINTELLIGIBLE) council members. That report will go to the various committees and the council may convene again.

I've heard so many things about the confidence or no confidence absolutely unfounded. The due process is that 10 members -- at least 10 members of the council must submit a written letter to the speaker in case they want to go to...

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: But the reality...

ERAKAT: No, let me speak about the reality. Michael, wherever there is politics, wherever there are people dealing with politics, there are differences -- in Washington, in London, in the Arab world -- anywhere. We have difficulties. The human factor is there. We have an (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Abu Mazen and the Palestinian people have an overloaded wagon. We're going through one of the most difficult transitions. Politics. This is Palestinian labor pains towards the new era, and it should be understood in this context. I think what we witnessed outside, what we witnessed inside, is part of the Palestinian natural growth towards full democracy. This is good. Abu Mazen came. I know the man has an overloaded wagon. I think that he did a good job today with all accountability, with all transparencies, submitting a full report in the political front, in the reform programs of which I think is good.

HOLMES: He also made very clear his criticism of Israel and its military actions, blaming them for the break down of the hudna (ph) or cease-fire. And he also criticized the United States for the isolation of President Arafat. How do you see that developing? Yasser Arafat is still very much at the forefront. He's in the middle of all of this. Can he still be isolated?

ERAKAT: Well, look, Michael, I think -- and I disagree with all of these people who (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We don't have such things. Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas have been working together for the last 42 years. They are the historic leadership of the Palestinian people and the soldier (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And the point is the equation within the Palestinian (UNINTELLIGIBLE) front, if you weaken Arafat, you weaken Abu Mazen. If you weaken Abu Mazen, you weaken Arafat, and this is the truth.

So, we want to be left alone with our complicities. We have an overloaded wagon. The focus should be on how to develop the peace process. We want to maintain the road map on the table. This is a good document for Palestinians and Israelis. And Abu Mazen asked for the help of the United States (UNINTELLIGIBLE) today in order to reactivate the implementation of the road map through serious (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on the ground.

HOLMES: We literally have seconds, so very briefly, if you will. You job is to get negotiations under way. When do you start?

ERAKAT: Well, I think I'll start immediately. I think...

HOLMES: Have you contacted the Israelis?

ERAKAT: Well, I haven't yet, but I will do so, and I think Palestinians and Israelis should keep talking. Talking in pain and frustration for five years is much cheaper than exchanging bullets for five minutes, and my job is to save lives -- Israelis and Palestinians -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the peace process, and I'll do my best.

HOLMES: Thank you. There you have it, Fredricka. Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, the man now charged with going back to Israelis --Israel's leaders and try to get what's left of the road map back on track.

Back to you -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Michael Holmes, thanks very much, from Ramallah outside with the Palestinian chief negotiator, as he said, while inside the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, addresses the council there, talking about his 100 days -- his first 100 days in office.

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 September 4, 2003 - 06:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now to another tense location -- a very tense location in the Middle East. Today marks a milestone for Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas: his first 100 days in office. And it's been a rough ride on that road map to peace.
For the latest, we go live to our Michael Holmes in Ramallah with an explainer on just how rough it's been.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, thanks very much.

Yes, it was a moment of truth in a way for the prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas. He has his difficulties it comes to credibility, difficulties in implanting pretty much anything at the moment, and there are differences between him and the Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat.

I want to bring in for some analysis now Saeb Erakat, a familiar face to many people, now again being tasked with the job of negotiating whatever comes next.

Now, did this address by Mahmoud Abbas help him, hurt him? Where does it leave him?

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: I think this was a good process. I think Mr. Abbas came to the council, as he was supposed to do, and submitted a full report on the first 100 days of his cabinet. Immediately now we will motion (UNINTELLIGIBLE) council members. That report will go to the various committees and the council may convene again.

I've heard so many things about the confidence or no confidence absolutely unfounded. The due process is that 10 members -- at least 10 members of the council must submit a written letter to the speaker in case they want to go to...

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: But the reality...

ERAKAT: No, let me speak about the reality. Michael, wherever there is politics, wherever there are people dealing with politics, there are differences -- in Washington, in London, in the Arab world -- anywhere. We have difficulties. The human factor is there. We have an (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Abu Mazen and the Palestinian people have an overloaded wagon. We're going through one of the most difficult transitions. Politics. This is Palestinian labor pains towards the new era, and it should be understood in this context. I think what we witnessed outside, what we witnessed inside, is part of the Palestinian natural growth towards full democracy. This is good. Abu Mazen came. I know the man has an overloaded wagon. I think that he did a good job today with all accountability, with all transparencies, submitting a full report in the political front, in the reform programs of which I think is good.

HOLMES: He also made very clear his criticism of Israel and its military actions, blaming them for the break down of the hudna (ph) or cease-fire. And he also criticized the United States for the isolation of President Arafat. How do you see that developing? Yasser Arafat is still very much at the forefront. He's in the middle of all of this. Can he still be isolated?

ERAKAT: Well, look, Michael, I think -- and I disagree with all of these people who (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We don't have such things. Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas have been working together for the last 42 years. They are the historic leadership of the Palestinian people and the soldier (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And the point is the equation within the Palestinian (UNINTELLIGIBLE) front, if you weaken Arafat, you weaken Abu Mazen. If you weaken Abu Mazen, you weaken Arafat, and this is the truth.

So, we want to be left alone with our complicities. We have an overloaded wagon. The focus should be on how to develop the peace process. We want to maintain the road map on the table. This is a good document for Palestinians and Israelis. And Abu Mazen asked for the help of the United States (UNINTELLIGIBLE) today in order to reactivate the implementation of the road map through serious (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on the ground.

HOLMES: We literally have seconds, so very briefly, if you will. You job is to get negotiations under way. When do you start?

ERAKAT: Well, I think I'll start immediately. I think...

HOLMES: Have you contacted the Israelis?

ERAKAT: Well, I haven't yet, but I will do so, and I think Palestinians and Israelis should keep talking. Talking in pain and frustration for five years is much cheaper than exchanging bullets for five minutes, and my job is to save lives -- Israelis and Palestinians -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the peace process, and I'll do my best.

HOLMES: Thank you. There you have it, Fredricka. Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, the man now charged with going back to Israelis --Israel's leaders and try to get what's left of the road map back on track.

Back to you -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Michael Holmes, thanks very much, from Ramallah outside with the Palestinian chief negotiator, as he said, while inside the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, addresses the council there, talking about his 100 days -- his first 100 days in office.

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