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CNN Sunday Morning

Op-Ed Piece by Arafat

Aired February 03, 2002 - 09:02   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We turn now our attention to the Mid East crisis. Today's New York Times is carrying an op ed piece by Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat. It comes after more meetings between Palestinian officials and the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon.

For a reaction from the White House to this latest development, we turn it now to CNN's Kelly Wallace standing by at the White House. Good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Miles. Well the reaction from the White House is really what the Bush Administration has been saying all along, that it believes Palestinian Leader, Yasser Arafat, needs to do more to crack down on terrorism, that cracking down on terrorism is really the prerequisite for moving forward with talks and getting forward on the peace process.

In essence, Miles, the message from this administration, words are fine but it is looking for actions; clearly though, Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat trying to send a message to those who question his power, who question his intentions. In that New York Times op ed, the Palestinian Leader saying: "There are those who claim that I am not a partner in peace. In response, I say Israel's peace partner is and always has been the Palestinian people. Peace is not a signed agreement between individuals, it is reconciliation between peoples."

Now the backdrop here, Miles, as you know this administration has made it clear, it is considering a number of options, possible options to deal with Yasser Arafat, including possibly severing ties with the Palestinian Authority.

We saw the President meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan on Friday morning, the President once again conveying his concerns about the Middle East situation. But also, if you listen to the President's words, it is clear at least right now this administration is still keeping ties with the Palestinian Leader, and still looking to the leader to do more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There is a plan for peace, but it starts with a full-focused effort to fight terror, and Mr. Arafat must do a better job. We believe he can do a better job, and he must do a better job of doing so.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And, Miles, look for that message from the President's top national security advisers, including Condoleezza Rice, who is appearing on CNN'S LATE EDITION, which airs at 12:00 noon Eastern time.

Also, Miles, the President will be meeting later this week with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. As you know, so far there has been no invitation, no meeting between Mr. Bush and the Palestinian leader, no planned meeting at any time. Again, the message from the White House, words are OK, but this administration looking for actions, looking for actions to crack down on terrorism before there is any chance of moving forward on the peace process. Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right, thank you very much, CNN's Kelly Wallace on the North Lawn of the White House, appreciate that.

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