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American Morning

Conflict in the Middle East: International Diplomats Step Up Peace Efforts

Aired June 05, 2001 - 11:13   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: To the Middle East now: International diplomats are stepping up their efforts to keep violence in check. A special envoy from Russia is the latest diplomat to join those efforts.

We get the latest now from our Jerusalem bureau chief, Mike Hanna.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The Palestinian Authority leader attempting to get grassroots support for his declaration of intent to suspend acts of violence, here meeting representatives from his Fatah organization and prominent militant leaders from Hamas -- afterwards, a statement released saying all agreed to suspend hostilities within the borders of Israel -- the involvement of Hamas apparently significant, as it has claimed responsibility for a number of terror attacks against Israeli civilians -- but within hours, a denial of any cease-fire from a member of the organization's political wing, signaling an apparent division within the ranks of Hamas.

MAHMOUD ZAHAR, HAMAS SPOKESMAN: No, we have no change in our previous policy. We are not changing our policy. So if resistance means to attack the Israeli everywhere, by all means -- no cease-fire.

HANNA: A flurry of diplomatic activity continues in a bid to ensure the view of the moderates, rather than the militants, prevails -- the latest to enter an increasingly multinational mix: a special envoy from Russia.

ANDREI VDOVIN, SPECIAL RUSSIAN ENVOY: The set of ideas is quite clear for how to solve the current crisis. But the problem is how to implement them, how to find a useful mechanism for implementation of those ideas.

HANNA: Critical to the process: an Israeli pledge to continue to exercise restraint. Dismissed by Palestinians as a ploy, the policy has been welcomed by the international community as a positive contribution to breaking the cycle of violence -- equally welcomed: the commitment by Yasser Arafat to implement a cessation of hostilities, a commitment that the Israelis in turn view with skepticism. (on camera): Each side could politically benefit from being seen to end the violence. But if he succeeds in doing so, Yasser Arafat will, in Israeli eyes, proved the contention that he controlled the violence in the first place. At the same time, by implementing a cease-fire, say independent analysts, the Palestinian leader will place immense political pressure on Ariel Sharon.

ZE'EV SCHIFF, MILITARY ANALYST: Let him test Sharon. Why not? He has a demand about the settlements, a freeze? Then let him test Sharon.

HANNA (voice-over): The Palestinian protests against Israel continue. But on this occasion, at least, the demonstration is peaceful -- each day that sees the levels of violence drop: a boost to those attempting to implement a formal cessation of hostilities.

Mike Hanna, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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