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Conflicting Reports About Whether There Has Been Explosion at One of Christianity's Holiest Places

Aired April 04, 2002 - 09:00   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, there are conflicting reports about whether there has been an explosion at one of Christianity's holiest places. A standoff between the Israeli military and Palestinian gunmen that begin earlier this week at the Church of the Nativity has erupted in more violence.

And Israel says it has taken over Nablus, the largest West Bank town as it tries to dismantle Palestinian terrorist networks. We begin with this report from CNN's Ben Wedeman who is outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is still not clear what exactly has happened at the Church of the Nativity here in Bethlehem this morning. The Palestinians and also people within the church itself are saying that a blast occurred - several blasts occurred this morning in the area. One of them destroyed one of the church - or rather one of the doors to the Church of the Nativity, which, of course is historically believed to be the site of the birth of Christ.

Now the Israeli army denies that any such event has occurred. We spoke to an Israeli army spokeswoman who says that it is purely Palestinian propaganda. We spoke to soldiers on the seen who deny it as well. They say that they have no interest in going inside the church and that they want to resolve the standoff peacefully.

However, we - when we tried to get to the church, we were told by the Israeli soldiers on the scene and also by a spokesman that we would not be allowed there. That it is dangerous, which it is. That it is closed military area. And we were told to leave. So the controversy remains. No independent verification at this point what happens at the church.

Here in Bethlehem itself it is a ghost town, nobody out in the streets. It is the scene of some destruction and you just heard that blast go off nearby. Sounded like a concussion grenade. Another one going off as well. So as you can tell, there is still some fighting, some danger here in Bethlehem and that's where I'm going to end it and leave this area. I'm Ben Wedeman, CNN, reporting from Bethlehem.

ZAHN: And Bethlehem is not the only focus in the Middle East this morning as Israeli tanks completed a takeover of the West Banks' largest town, that's Nablus in its continued campaign to round up terrorists. Let's go to Bill Hemmer who's joining us now from Jerusalem. Bill, I've just gotten word that Anthony Zinni and Ariel Sharon now have been meeting for almost two hours. Have you heard anything about the agenda?

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, indeed, we have. Not about the agenda specifically but we do know that meeting is ongoing here in Jerusalem, Paula. And one would think that the U.S. Envoy Anthony Zinni now in his third trip to the Middle East is probably, one would think, requesting some sort of visit or communication with Yasser Arafat. Again, still holed up in the compound in Ramallah.

CNN has confirmed, Paula, earlier in the week the U.S. had put in a request to go to Ramallah and meet face-to-face with Arafat. At this time, that request has been denied. Whether or not the Israelis and Ariel Sharon are willing to give right now on that front is a wide-open question.

Meanwhile, though, the military operation, Paula does continue. In fact, in the West Bank town of Nablus, this is the most populated town throughout the entire West Bank when the sun went down last night the tanks rolled in, about 200 into that town. The Israeli military now saying they have firm and complete control over Nablus despite the fact we're getting reports in various areas of that city that there are gun fights and gun battles still ongoing. Nablus now is the sixth major town throughout the West Bank where there's military operation has continued.

And on a daily basis, here, people ask the question how long it will last? How long will it will continue? And at which point will the Israelis call off the military operation now ongoing? Ariel Sharon addressed that, again, earlier today. He says this is a fight, in his words, against terrorism operating in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as well, a fight to defend the Israeli people. He says right now it is full on in terms of the operation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARIEL SHARON, ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER: We are going to continue because that is the only way to be, I would say, to a wicked situation that we can discuss peace. Peace might be discussed only when to be full cessation of terror, hostility and incitement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Again, Ariel Sharon earlier today. We should point out, we will keep a close eye on that meeting with Anthony Zinni. In addition to that, Paula, Yasser Arafat now day seven inside the compound in Ramallah still holed up inside to about three rooms of space and movement within that compound. In addition, on a diplomatic front, the European Union growing increasingly concerned with the scenario here. They have sent Javier Solana, their chief foreign policy adviser, to the UE to the region, in fact, he arrived earlier today. He will meet with leading members of the Israeli government including the foreign minister Shimon Peres. Whether or not there was a breakthrough on that front, we do not know right now. But possibly throughout the day we'll get a much better idea. Again, that Zinni meeting does continue now - Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Bill thanks for the update. See you in the next half hour.

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