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American Morning

In Middle East, a Seizure of Weapons Could Add to Tensions

Aired January 04, 2002 - 09:52   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: In the Middle East, a seizure of weapons could add to the tensions. Israel says it intercepted a ship on the Red Sea carrying a shipment weapons destined for the Palestinian Authority.

Our Jerusalem bureau chief Mike Hanna joins us now. He's got the latest on this story.

Hello, Mike.

MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.

Well, another complication to a renewed diplomatic drive to implement a cease-fire on the ground. Israel says that it's captured a vessel which was carrying a massive load of weapons. The origin of the weapons, says the Israeli defense force, was Iran. It's destination, say the Israeli defense force, was the Palestinian territories.

Israel says there is no doubt whatsoever that the Palestinian Authority was directly involved in the weapons smuggling, saying too that among the members of the crew aboard the vessel were members of Palestinian security forces.

The Palestinian Authority has denied this allegation. It says it is not involved in any way whatsoever with attempting to smuggle weapons into Palestinian territories, saying that the allegations are another attempt as the Palestinians leaders put it, to undermine the peace process.

Israel still maintains that the weapons were on their way to the Palestinian territory. This was a matter of discussion between the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni. They met in the west bank town of Ramallah, where Mr. Zinni is beginning, or renewing efforts to implement a cease-fire on the ground. And despite the argument over the weapons issue, Anthony Zinni emerged from the meeting with Arafat sounding a note of optimism, saying he believes it is possible to get a cease-fire in place, a cease-fire that lasts for some period of time.

Earlier in the day, Anthony Zinni met with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and members of Sharon's government. There, according to the Israeli's prime minister's office, what was discussed was how to keep pressure on Yasser Arafat to implement and maintain a cease-fire on the ground. The last time that Anthony Zinni was in the region, he cut his visit short in mid-December after there was a massive upsurge in the levels of violence.

So far in his visit, there's been a tentative calm. However, the argument over the weapons shipment, which Israel says was on its way to the Palestinian territories is a clear indication that while there may be calm on the ground, both sides are still deeply suspicious of the other side's pledge for peace -- Leon.

HARRIS: Mike Hanna reporting live from Jerusalem, thank you very much.

Happy new year to you, Mike.

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