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American Morning
America Strikes Back: Arafat Shifts Political Stance, Cracks Down on Militants
Aired October 10, 2001 - 09:41 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Since the day of 9-11, there has been a shift in the political outlook by Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader. Our Jerusalem bureau chief, Mike Hanna, joining us, now, a day after a significant move, yesterday, there. Mike, hello.
MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Bill, well, for more than 12 months of conflict against Israel, the Israelis had been demanding that the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, crack down on extremists, within Palestinian society. All these demands to no avail. But, in the political reality that has emerged since the attacks in the U.S., on September the 11th, there are now strong indications that Yasser Arafat is shifting his strategy.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HANNA (voice-over): Palestinian demonstrators take to the streets. On this occasion, the protest against the U.S.-led attacks in Afghanistan, and some wave posters of the man who's the focus of the attacks, Osama bin Laden. But this time, it's not Israeli forces who confront the demonstrators, but Palestinian security units. The most tangible evidence, yet, of what appears to be enormous political shift, in recent weeks. Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority forcefully clamping down on Palestinian extremists.
Within hours of the September the 11th attacks, Arafat strongly condemned those responsible. In a matter of days, he acceded to international pressure and declared a truce in the conflict of Israel. In the Gulf war, a decade ago, Arafat sided with Iraq, against the U.S. This time, he's done exactly the opposite- doing everything possible to be included in the U.S. coalition against terror.
MAHDI ABDEL HADI, PALESTINIAN ACADEMIC SOCIETY: With this new chapter of challenging, a war against terrorism, Arafat cannot afford, he personally or his establishment or his people, afford to be isolated, ignored from such an agenda.
HANNA: If those Palestinians who support movements like Hamas and Islamic Jihad remain deeply anti-American and are vocal in their support of bin Laden and their opposition to the U.S.-led attacks.
ABDEL AZIZ RANTISI, HAMAS SPOKESMAN: We consider that attack as a war against Islam. And, so, we are with our brothers, there in Afghanistan. HANNA: Israel maintains that, throughout this intifada, the Palestinian Authority has done nothing to curb the actions of the radicals, and holds the Authority responsible for the terror attacks, carried out by Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants. But Arafat faces a new reality, now. At stake is international acceptance of the very concept of the Palestinian state.
HADI: The price is, if Hamas and Jihad would not be abide by the rule and the law, and will not be a part of the consensus of cease- fire and building security and stability for them-- their people, as well as for the Israelis, they will be sacrificed. And his sacrificing them will not be reflected negatively on him, because he would be saving the rest of the body. Sometimes you sacrifice your finger for saving the hand.
HANNA: The militants have fought back. In the wake of the clampdown, earlier this week, several Palestinian police stations were attacked. In a subsequent meeting, a truce of sorts was reached between the Palestinian Authority and the militants.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HANNA (on camera): The truce is tenuous, and the challenge facing Yasser Arafat is clear. His choice: to impose a rule of law and face the fury of the militants, or to renounce all hopes of-- for securing international approval for a Palestinian State. Bill.
HEMMER: Alright, Mike Hanna. Interesting developments from the Middle East, Mike. Many thanks to you.
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