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CNN Live At Daybreak

Despite Violence, Some Renewed Hope for Middle East Peace

Aired February 26, 2002 - 06:15   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: An Israeli policewoman is the latest victim of the violence in the Middle East. A policewoman died from her wounds at a Jerusalem bus stop shooting. Ten people were wounded; one of them seriously. Israeli police arrested a Palestinian gunman in connection with that attack.

Despite the incident, there are new hopes for peace today. Here's CNN's Senior International Correspondent Walter Rodgers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): After a day of bloody violence between Palestinians and Israelis, Yasser Arafat confirmed he has agreed to resume security cooperation talks with the Israelis aimed at defusing some of the daily shootings here.

YASSER ARAFAT, PRESIDENT, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY: We are committed completely to the peace of the brave (ph), and the peace process.

RODGERS: The breakthrough came after a meeting with European Union Security Chief Javier Solana.

JAVIER SOLANA, EU SECURITY CHIEF: I think that it's very important and that will be a step to maintain and to support something which is -- the cease fire, which is a very delicate thing that has to be defended every day to me maintained.

RODGERS: The Palestinian leader had frozen security talks with Israel after Prime Minister Sharon ordered strict travel restrictions on Arafat be maintained. But Arafat said he agreed to renew talks to accommodate the Europeans and the Americans. His West Bank Security Chief, Jibril Rajoub, suggested the renewed talks could pave the way for progress elsewhere.

JIBRIL RAJOUB, WEST BANK SECURITY CHIEF: Security is the key issue in the whole business between ourselves and the Israelis. And we did explain our position that if they want security, the only way to have security is to make peace.

RODGERS: Israeli tanks have withdrawn somewhat from the eyeball to eyeball positions taken outside Arafat's offices. But Palestinians say the occupation is still humiliating. HANAN ASHRAWI, PALESTINIAN LEGISLATOR: There is a siege here. And if the tanks moved a few hundred meters away, it doesn't mean that the siege was lifted. It's not so immediately visible.

RODGERS (on camera): The Israelis and Palestinians held a late night security cooperation meeting with the Americans last week that resulted in a slight easing of tensions in Gaza. But then Arafat froze any more talks, because the Israelis voted to keep him in close confinement. Now those security talks are on again, showing just how fluid and fragile the situation is here.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Ramallah, on the West Bank.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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