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American Morning

Conflict in the Middle East: Suicide Bomber Sets Off Explosion Outside Mall

Aired May 18, 2001 - 09:02   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Our lead story this morning is out of Israel. Another suicide bombing attack there. Authorities say 6 people are dead and at least 57 others are injured. The powerful blast rocked the city of Netanya several hours ago. This bomb was detonated at the entrance to a crowded shopping mall. Authorities have sealed off the area and are on the scene.

CNN's Sheila MacVicar is also on the scene. She joins us now, live - Sheila.

SHEILA MACVICAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Israeli police have an update in the number of people killed and wounded. They are now saying that there are seven people dead. They believe, of course, that that includes a suicide bomber and they say up to nearly 100 people wounded. We know that some of the people who have been injured remain in hospital in critical condition, and it is not clear what their chances for survival are.

Now, the bomb detonated here at this shopping mall behind me just about four hours ago. A young man was behaving in a way that aroused the suspicion of the security guards at the entrance of the mall. He was wearing a heavy blue overcoat on what is a very, very warm day here. And the security guards didn't let him into the mall and called the police. As the man turned away, the police arrived and eyewitnesses say that that is the moment where he detonated his bomb. City officials here in the city of Netanya say that if, in fact, he had gotten into the mall, they believe the damage, the casualties, might have been very much worse.

HARRIS: Well, Sheila, just moment ago here, we heard President Bush here asking the leaders there in the Middle East to speak out against violence. Has there been any pronouncement at all out of any of the leadership there?

MACVICAR: Prime Minister Sharon is in what is called a security meeting right now. He is meeting with his defense minister, with Foreign Minister Peres and with security officials. We haven't had any word yet out of that meeting. Of course, on the table at this moment is what's called the Mitchell committee report, report that calls upon the government of Israel to freeze all settlement building, that calls for new confidence building measures between Israelis and Palestinians so that there can be a way back to the table. But Israel has said repeatedly is that there can be no negotiations as long as this violence continues.

HARRIS: Sheila MacVicar, reporting live this morning, from Netanya. Thank you.

DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: And, as you saw here, live, on CNN, President Bush is closely monitoring the most recent violence in the Middle East. And he had some comments just a short time ago.

CNN's senior White House correspondent John King is joining us with more details -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Donna, this violence - this suicide bombing the latest episode which has the U. S. administration quite frustrated. As you mentioned, just moments ago in the Oval Office, President Bush, he was trying to have a celebration with the returned members of that U.S. EP-3 surveillance plane, but the president took some time during that session in the Oval Office to turn to reporters and condemn the latest escalation of the violence in the Middle East.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today the violence in the Middle East took on a new level of intensity. Our country is deeply concerned, first and foremost, for those who lost their life and for the families affected. It is essential that the leaders in the Middle East speak out clearly against violence. We must break the cycle of violence in order to begin meaningful discussions about any kind of political settlement.

My administration will continue to work with the parties involved, reminding folks that violence will not lead to peace, obviously. Violence will make it so difficult for there to be any political settlement. I -- I'm concerned any time anybody loses life. I'm especially concerned about suicide bombers that have disregard for themselves and, obviously, for innocent folks. We will continue to work hard to bring peace to that important part of the region.

Thank you all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The president's remarks, a reflection of the frustration felt throughout the administration as it tries to find a way for U. S. diplomacy to help bring some calm in the region. Just this week, Secretary of State Colin Powell met with the key deputy to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. A Powell-Arafat meeting in the next several weeks a possibility. They're still trying to work out the schedule for that.

The administration being criticized by some for not doing more, including the former U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Dennis Ross, who told CNN just this week, the situation has deteriorated so much he believes there needs to be some dramatic new intervention by the United States. But the Bush White House says before diplomacy can take hold, the violence must stop - Donna. KELLEY: John, we saw the president there with the spy plane crew, and he's talking to them before they go to a medal ceremony. But then he's also headed to Pennsylvania for more talk on energy.

KING: Yes, he is. He will visit a hydroelectric facility in Pennsylvania to highlight more elements of his very controversial energy policy. The president making the case that his plan would promote hydroelectricity, other alternatives to fossil fuels. Critics would say that the president is focusing, in public, on facilities like that, but then in private or in - his plan actually calls for much more reliance on fossil fuels. This, part of a very difficult political sales pitch as the president, now that his plan has been unveiled, tries to sell it to the Congress and the country - Donna.

KELLEY: All right. John King, thanks very much.

And you'll want to stay with CNN for the latest on the president's energy plan. We will bring you live coverage of Mr. Bush's remarks from Pennsylvania next hour around 10:45 Eastern, which is 7:45 Pacific.

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