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American Morning

End to Standoff in Bethlehem Near

Aired May 07, 2002 - 07:07   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: Turning now to the Middle East this morning, on the same day Israelis Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to meet with President Bush, a resolution to the standoff at the Church of the Nativity is announced. And CNN's Walt Rodgers is in Bethlehem. He joins us now on more about this deal -- good morning, Walt.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula. Preparations are in full swing now in Bethlehem's Manger Square for an end to the standoff in the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of Jesus' birth.

For the past hour or so, the Israelis have been making it very clear they expect the release of the 123 people inside. The Palestinians confirm a deal has been struck.

The Israelis have moved metal detectors up close to the Church of the Nativity, two them. The Israelis making it clear that any Palestinians coming out of that church have to pass through metal detectors, the way you or I would at an airport, and the Israelis are playing it safe, making sure they go through two of those metal detectors. All morning, the Israelis were wiring the metal detectors, activating them.

A short while ago, a Franciscan priest, Roman Catholic, and an Orthodox priest emerged from the Church of the Nativity. Again, the atmosphere much, much more relaxed than it has been at any time during the five-week-long siege here. The third man with them was, of course, a Palestinian, but he was a negotiator. He was not one of those who had taken over the church.

Again, everything is in place here. The last tip -- the last key to the release of them will come when the Israelis drive buses into the square. One of the happiest people in Bethlehem today is its mayor, Hanna Nasser, who was more than relieved this siege is about to end.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR HANNA NASSER, BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK: The deal is over, and what remains, some logistic procedures, and they are doing that this morning. And they are very glad to deal, although I know that the price has been very, very, very -- a big price to pay on the Palestinian side. But still, this Church of the Nativity, it deserve this exception, and as we say, to every rule, there is an exception. (END VIDEO CLIP)

RODGERS: Under the term of the agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, 13 of the hardcore fighters, Palestinians are being deported to Italy, and the Italians are more than a little displeased. They say they were not fully consulted. The Americans are trying to work that out -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thank you, Walt -- we'll be checking in with you a little bit later on this morning.

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