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American Morning

More Violence in Mideast Comes Amid Israeli Promises to Withdraw from Palestinian Areas and Palestinian Promise to Observe a Cease-Fire

Aired October 26, 2001 - 10:27   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: There was more bloodshed in the Middle East again today. Israeli defense forces say they killed three armed Palestinians who tried to infiltrate a British settlement in northern Gaza. The Hamas military wing claims responsibility for that incursion. In a separate incident earlier, Palestinian security sources forces say four Palestinians were killed in Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers say the victims fired at them first. The violence comes amid Israeli promises to withdraw from Palestinian areas of the West Bank and Palestinian authorities promise to observe a big cease- fire. The big question, though, will that happen?

Zalman Shoval is in Washington with us, a foreign policy adviser to Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Sir, good morning to you.

ZALMAN SHOVAL, SHARON FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Where do we stand right now? Will the Israeli forces pull back from these areas in the West Bank?

SHOVAL: Well, you know, I heard the president say yesterday this is a war against evil. We are fighting the war against evil in our country like you are doing in Afghanistan. We hope that Israel will be able to withdraw forces. We don't want to be there. But this all depends on whether Yasser Arafat really complies with his own undertaking, by the way, to stop the violence, to stop the terrorist attacks on Israelis. Hopefully, this could come about today. There is a meeting of the Joint Security Committee, the Americans, Palestinians and Israel, but so far, it has not been very good.

HEMMER: Specifically, what could come today? The pullback or a possible movement toward cease-fire?

SHOVAL: Well, first of all, first thing's first, first, there has to be an absolute end to the shooting and the violence in and from different Palestinian areas. Then there will be the Israeli drawback, which has already started in certain areas, which could be completed within the next few days, I think. Then we may get into the Tenet Plan, and absolute cease-fire. Hopefully then get into the Mitchell Plan as well. HEMMER: At this point, if there is more violence against Israel, and there have been warnings, will Israel respond if a similar way that we have seen thus far?

SHOVAL: Israel will definitely respond. Whether this way or another way, I don't know.

HEMMER: At no point then, will you withhold your fire?

SHOVAL: Look, the first duty of any government is to protect the safety of its citizens. How shall we act is both a political question and a military question, and we will have to wait and see.

HEMMER: I know what Israel has said, and you referred to it in your first answer about going after what you consider terrorist and those who harbor them, a similar stance to the White House's staked out in this current war. What response do you get from the U.S. and the White House when you stake that claim?

SHOVAL: Look, I'm not going to won't speak for the White House...

HEMMER: But what do they tell you?

SHOVAL: They tell us, look, we know where you are, we know what your situation is, help us now with the coalition. But I think there are no misunderstandings about the nature of the situation that we face. And we want to help.

I mean, Prime Minister Sharon has said helping the United States in this war against terrorism is our first priority, because we are all in it together, basically. If there is no victory, we shall also lose by that. But we cannot disregard almost daily firings, and murders of innocent people. This is something we have to cope with. Hopefully, we will find the balance. We are trying to find the balance.

HEMMER: You said the word, you said the word misunderstanding. Some have suggested, many in fact over the past couple of weeks, that there has been a very public friction between the U.S. and Israel. At this point, how solid is that relationship between the two?

SHOVAL: The relationship is as solid as ever. I mean, America has one very close reliable ally in the Middle East. That's Israel. We have one reliable ally in the world. That's America. It very solid. Because it is so solid and close, we sometimes can afford to have misunderstandings. I don't want to make a practice of it. The trouble is that some of the statements coming out of here, this was not the intention, but it was misunderstood by the Palestinians and by terrorists all over the world as if the United States was not giving the same importance to one terrorism as compared to another. This is a misconception, and it could work against the fight against terrorism everywhere.

HEMMER: You got it. You know as well as anyone, back in September, the White House said its intentions ultimately are to create a Palestinian state. As we sit and talk here today, will that happen.

SHOVAL: Well, it really depends on the Palestinians. Not just the president, but also Prime Minister Sharon has spoken about the possibility. But to remind ourselves, the president said at the end of the process, first thing is first, first violence is to stop. Then we get into the Mitchell Plan, ultimately Palestinian statehood will be on the table, only as a result of the negotiations for Israel.

HEMMER: Zalman Shoval, foreign policy adviser to Ariel Sharon, live with us in Washington. Thank you, sir.

SHOVAL: Thank you very much.

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