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CNN Live At Daybreak

Many Feel Events in Middle East Will Determine How Successful America Will Be in War on Terrorism

Aired October 29, 2001 - 06:45   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Many feel that the events shaping up in the Middle East will actually determine just how successful America is going to be in its war against terrorism.

Joining us this morning to talk more about the conflict in the Middle East is chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat, and also Israeli government spokesman, Ranaan Gissen.

Gentlemen, thank you very much for your time this morning. Mr. Gissen, I'd like to start with you to give us -- can you give us an update on the situation in Beit Jala and Bethlehem? And has the pullout been completed?

RANAAN GISSEN, ISRAELI SPOKESMAN: Well, yes, you know, this is a very somber day in Israel. We commemorate the 6th anniversary of the murder of Prime Minister Rabin, and on this day, we would like to renew the legacy of Rabin, of hope and peace. And I think it's significant that we have completed the first phases of the withdrawal, despite the fact that we are still burying our dead from last night -- from yesterday's horrendous terrorist action.

Just to show you that the people of Israel, the government of Israel, as well as the prime minister, are really committed to peace and are ready to take the necessary steps, we're waiting for the other side to reciprocate.

HARRIS: Well, let's see what the other side has to say, Mr. Erakat, what do you have to say to that?

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: Well, I appreciate very much that Mr. Gissen wants to revive hope and wants to work on the legacy of peace. We are partners, and we should be partners, and we invite the Israeli prime minister immediately back to the negotiating table in order to begin the process that will only save Israeli and Palestinian lives. Israel is burying their dead; Palestinians are burying their dead. And our job should be to save the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, and the only way to do that is to resume a meaningful negotiation, is to revive the hope in the minds of Palestinians and Israelis, and we invite Prime Minister Sharon to immediately come back to the negotiating table in order to revive this hope in the minds of Palestinians and Israelis. This is the only way out for both of us. HARRIS: Well, then, Mr. Gissen, and again, well, what do you have to say to that? What is it now that is keeping Ariel Sharon from negotiating?

GISSEN: I have no problem with Saeb Erakat's proposal, and we welcome that. But I think we both agreed on the circumstance of conditions and processes. We're talking about the tenant proposal, which are committed, and we accepted. We're talking about the Mitchell report. All of this is to lead to negotiations, fruitful negotiations, I believe.

I think at this time in history, and particularly after the September 11 horrendous attack, is a time when leaders should rise to the historical occasion. And what I'm asking from the Palestinian leaders, I'm asking from Saeb Erakat, who is one of the leaders of the Palestinian people, put an end to violence. Stop the violence, and you will that you'll be able to accomplish, in less time, in five years what we haven't been able to accomplish in 53 years.

There's a lot of things that can be done, while we're negotiating, things to alleviate the living condition of the Palestinian people, things that will bring the hope back to the eyes of the Palestinian people. And we're ready to help. We're ready to assist, but the violence must stop, because when there is violence, people do not want -- can't go to work. Investors don't come. There is a real hope here, but we've got to find a way to work together to end the violence, to end terrorism, particularly after the horrendous attack that occurred in the United States.

HARRIS: Well, let's ask Mr. Erakat about this -- about the violence. Mr. Erakat, is the Palestinian authority, right now, willing to go all of the way to put an end to all of the violence on its side?

ERAKAT: Well, I don't think, you know, finger pointing and assigning blame will serve any (UNINTELLIGBILE). I believe we should stop this. We are not saving the lives of Palestinians or Israelis. We know that -- you know that 3.2 million Palestinians are under siege. You know that Israeli tanks surround Palestinian villages and towns. You know that we, as Palestinians, don't have tanks, missiles, air force or a navy. And we have recognized the state of Israel. We recognize you, and we want to establish our state next to you. This is the only way out.

And I really urge you, we want to (UNINTELLGIBLE), we want to limit (ph) Mitchell. But I don't know how we will do that if we don't come back to the negotiating table. I think we should sit down, draw a road map, and we, as Palestinians, are willing to carry out all our security obligations emanating from the tenant's proposal, the Mitchell recommendations, and we need to end this chapter, whereby end the Israeli occupation, so Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side, each in his own state, as equal partners, as good neighbors.

And I believe this is the shortest way for security and stability for Palestinians and Israelis. Please accept our invitation to come back to the negotiating table, and we will work together, we will cooperate together, to end violence, whether is committed by Palestinians or Israelis, because at the end of the day, this is the only path for Palestinians and Israelis to achieve peace between themselves.

HARRIS: It sounds as though you are both speaking right now from the same notes, and we'll be watching to see exactly how things do develop there. We thank you very much for your time, Ranaan Gissen and Saeb Erakat -- glad to have you with us today. Thank you very much

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

HARRIS: All right. Folks, you can follow all of the developments in the Middle East on our Web site. Just log onto CNN.com, AOL keyword there, of course, is CNN.

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