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CNN Live At Daybreak

Shimon Peres Speaks on Middle East Peace Resolutions

Aired November 14, 2001 - 07:35   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Time to turn now our attention to the Middle East. There is some positive reaction this morning to the latest efforts announced yesterday by President Bush and Russian President Putin to try to get the Middle East peace process rolling again. Is there now enough momentum to push both sides to a peace agreement? For some answers, we welcome Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres along with our international viewers from CNN.

Good to have you with us, sir. Thank you...

SHIMON PERES, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you.

ZAHN: ... very much for being with us.

PERES: Thank you very much.

ZAHN: To what extent do you think Russia should be involved in the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians?

PERES: I think it's better that Russia be involved positively than taking an alternative position. (INAUDIBLE) new coalition in our life comprising the United States, Europe, Russia and the great sensationalists China and India. A united front of all those countries will impress deeply the Palestinian side, and it would have a real effect upon the Israeli public opinion as well.

ZAHN: What kind of effect on Israeli public opinion?

PERES: I mean Israel does not turn our back to a new world, and anyway, would like to find a solution even without it, but the feeling is that this is a general wish of most of the humanity. And if the Palestinians (INAUDIBLE) being (INAUDIBLE) by the call and reduce violence, I think the ground is prepared for a settlement. The crisis today is very deep, but on the other hand, the solution is rather close.

ZAHN: What is the specific contribution you are looking for from Russia?

PERES: To work in harmony with the United States. Actually, the Russians and the (INAUDIBLE) are ready to accept the American leadership on the Middle East. This is something of a novelty and this is something of a promise, because if they would compete, every side would try to mobilize the powers on their side. So I think a harmonized position is good for the peace process. And I think Russia today doesn't have really any interest to take this side or that side. In a strange way, the Russians have today an interest in Israel because (INAUDIBLE) who came from Russia and there is a Russian speaking audience in Israel and they are quite sentimental about it.

On the other hand, they cannot give arms to the Arabs. They will not give it free as in the past. I don't think they're upset with the money to buy it, and also I'm not so sure that they will prefer Russian technology upon American one. But I believe Mr. Putin would like to be in the new assembly, shall I say, of the responsible nations in our time.

ZAHN: The European Union is also sending a delegation of negotiators to the Middle East area this weekend.

PERES: Yes.

ZAHN: Is that more a PR move or do you think anything substantive will be accomplished?

PERES: Europe is trying to emerge from being just a continent which is engaged in economy into a body that has a foreign policy. It's not simple. The Middle East may be the first invitation for Europe to take a position of her own and to make her mark upon history.

ZAHN: Will they be honest brokers?

PERES: I don't think we need honest brokers. I think the best thing for us is that the two parties will negotiate face to face and the United States would lead the necessary assistance to bridge order (ph) -- unexpected bridges. The Europeans can (INAUDIBLE) greatly economically because if the Middle East can become an extension of the European market and adopt the norms and the rules of Europe, this (INAUDIBLE).

You know the interesting story about Europe, Europe was our neighbor for hundreds of years to solve our political conflict politically. She solved it finally economically. Jean Manet (ph) contributed to the future of Europe more than Napoleon contributed to help us, and that's a great lesson.

ZAHN: Let's talk about what you expect the United States to do in all of this. There are a number of source reports that have you returning from the United States post-September 11 convinced that, maybe these words are too harsh, that the U.S. was bailing on Israel in an attempt to keep the coalition against terrorism together, particularly the Arab nations it must keep onboard.

PERES: That's not my...

ZAHN: Is that a -- is that a fair characterization...

PERES: No.

ZAHN: ... those reports? PERES: No, I don't think so. First of all, the United States doesn't call upon Israel to make any unnecessary concessions. They say please do whatever you can to lower the flames, to reduce the tension, which Israel is willing. I believe the United States has learned, and that is the reason why President Bush, in my judgement, refused to meet Arafat when he was here that it doesn't depend mainly upon Israel. That would the Palestinians be true to their promises as they were generous in making them, we wouldn't have problems.

I think today the main demand of the United States is from the Palestinian please stop terror in the little towns. When it comes to a Palestinian state, today it's almost an accepted solution (INAUDIBLE) our differences about the size, the connection, the security. But (INAUDIBLE) the two people, the Israelis and the Palestinians, must have two separated states that will coexist in a fair manner is accepted by everybody.

ZAHN: As a good faith effort, why will Israel not pull out of the other two West Bank towns?

PERES: There is no reason, we're anxious to do so. You know...

ZAHN: You are anxious to do so?

PERES: Yes, I want to say a word. You know the main cities, we pulled out from six the minute the Palestinians were ready to accept responsibility for the security. The minute they will be ready to accept the same responsibility about all the other three places, we shall leave them willingly.

ZAHN: How long do you think that might take?

PERES: Even a day or two days. It doesn't demand a long time. We are as anxious to leave those places as the Palestinians are, but unfortunately, there are gangs of terrorists in each of those cities. And if the Palestinians would put their hand on them, we shall be able to leave the places.

ZAHN: Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, good to have you with us in our New York studios for a change this morning.

PERES: Thank you.

ZAHN: Appreciate your time.

PERES: Thank you very much.

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