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High-Stakes Power Struggle Resolved
Aired April 23, 2003 - 13:05 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A high-stakes power struggle has been resolved, paving the way for a new Mideast peace plan. Under Egyptian pressure, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat gave ground today, allowing Abu Mazen to become prime minister.
CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Ramallah on the West Bank with the details.
Kelly, tell us how the power struggle played out.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, it was a very dramatic day here in Ramallah. A lot of action behind me in what's left of Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound. Many Palestinians breathing a sigh of relief that this dispute has been resolved, and a lot of credit is going to an Egyptian envoy, who was shuttling between Yasser Arafat and prime minister-designate Abu Mazen throughout the day. It was this envoy, Omar Sulliman (ph), who ended up bringing Abu Mazen here to the Ramallah compound late this afternoon. It was the first face- to-face meeting between Abu Mazen and President Yasser Arafat since a very stormy session, according to sources Saturday night.
And then soon after that meeting, word that, yes, there is a breakthrough. A lot of the dispute centered around a man by the named of Mohammed Daklan (ph). Abu Mazen wanted to make him charge of all security for the new government. Arafat, though, objected.
In the end, a compromise that the two men can live with. Abu Mazen will also have the title of interior minister, meaning he will be in charge of all security. But Mohammed Daklan (ph) will also be given a new position, minister of states in charge of security affairs.
Now Yasser Arafat has been facing intense international pressure to settle this dispute, in large part, because the United States and Great Britain have been saying they would not release the so-called road map for Middle East peace, until Abu Mazen's cabinet was approved by the Palestinian parliament and sworn in.
So next step, the Palestinian parliament must meet. We are told there could be a meeting as early as Sunday to approve the new parliament. Most Palestinians believe -- approve the new cabinet, excuse me. Most Palestinians believe this cabinet will be approved. Israelis, you can say, are sort of taking a cautious note here. One Israeli official here saying, we're interested in seeing deeds, not declarations, wanting to see the exact actions this cabinet will take. Palestinian reaction to that, saying it's time for some Israeli actions as well, time for the Israeli forces to pull out of West Bank towns, and also the Gaza Strip. So a lot of focus now, but, Kyra really, Palestinians very relieved this dispute is settled.
Back to you, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, Kelly, as you know, we've heard of a possible peace plan in the Middle East for a long, long time. Give us a little background. Why is there faith in Abu Mazen and where does that faith come from in his leadership?
WALLACE: Very good question, Kyra. Well, Abu Mazen is somebody who did negotiate with the Israelis, did lead negotiations in the past. He's a man the Israelis believe they can work with. In fact, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said, as soon as Abu Mazen's cabinet is sworn in, he will invite Abu Mazen to Jerusalem to sit down and talk with him. There's also a lot of faith in Muhammed Daklan (ph), believing he is a man who will stand up to these Palestinian militant groups, groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, groups that are responsibility for many acts of violence and terrorism against the Israelis.
So a lot of faith that Abu Mazen is the man viewed to be the right man at the right time. A lot of faith in him, but, Kyra, he has a lot of challenges ahead. He has to keep and hold on to the support of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian parliament. And again, next step is, of course, getting approval of that parliament, possibly as early as Sunday -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace, live from Jerusalem. Thanks so much, Kelly.
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 April 23, 2003 - 13:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A high-stakes power struggle has been resolved, paving the way for a new Mideast peace plan. Under Egyptian pressure, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat gave ground today, allowing Abu Mazen to become prime minister.
CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Ramallah on the West Bank with the details.
Kelly, tell us how the power struggle played out.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, it was a very dramatic day here in Ramallah. A lot of action behind me in what's left of Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound. Many Palestinians breathing a sigh of relief that this dispute has been resolved, and a lot of credit is going to an Egyptian envoy, who was shuttling between Yasser Arafat and prime minister-designate Abu Mazen throughout the day. It was this envoy, Omar Sulliman (ph), who ended up bringing Abu Mazen here to the Ramallah compound late this afternoon. It was the first face- to-face meeting between Abu Mazen and President Yasser Arafat since a very stormy session, according to sources Saturday night.
And then soon after that meeting, word that, yes, there is a breakthrough. A lot of the dispute centered around a man by the named of Mohammed Daklan (ph). Abu Mazen wanted to make him charge of all security for the new government. Arafat, though, objected.
In the end, a compromise that the two men can live with. Abu Mazen will also have the title of interior minister, meaning he will be in charge of all security. But Mohammed Daklan (ph) will also be given a new position, minister of states in charge of security affairs.
Now Yasser Arafat has been facing intense international pressure to settle this dispute, in large part, because the United States and Great Britain have been saying they would not release the so-called road map for Middle East peace, until Abu Mazen's cabinet was approved by the Palestinian parliament and sworn in.
So next step, the Palestinian parliament must meet. We are told there could be a meeting as early as Sunday to approve the new parliament. Most Palestinians believe -- approve the new cabinet, excuse me. Most Palestinians believe this cabinet will be approved. Israelis, you can say, are sort of taking a cautious note here. One Israeli official here saying, we're interested in seeing deeds, not declarations, wanting to see the exact actions this cabinet will take. Palestinian reaction to that, saying it's time for some Israeli actions as well, time for the Israeli forces to pull out of West Bank towns, and also the Gaza Strip. So a lot of focus now, but, Kyra really, Palestinians very relieved this dispute is settled.
Back to you, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, Kelly, as you know, we've heard of a possible peace plan in the Middle East for a long, long time. Give us a little background. Why is there faith in Abu Mazen and where does that faith come from in his leadership?
WALLACE: Very good question, Kyra. Well, Abu Mazen is somebody who did negotiate with the Israelis, did lead negotiations in the past. He's a man the Israelis believe they can work with. In fact, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said, as soon as Abu Mazen's cabinet is sworn in, he will invite Abu Mazen to Jerusalem to sit down and talk with him. There's also a lot of faith in Muhammed Daklan (ph), believing he is a man who will stand up to these Palestinian militant groups, groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, groups that are responsibility for many acts of violence and terrorism against the Israelis.
So a lot of faith that Abu Mazen is the man viewed to be the right man at the right time. A lot of faith in him, but, Kyra, he has a lot of challenges ahead. He has to keep and hold on to the support of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian parliament. And again, next step is, of course, getting approval of that parliament, possibly as early as Sunday -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace, live from Jerusalem. Thanks so much, Kelly.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
