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CNN Sunday Morning
Middle East Violence Draws Determined Response From Bush
Aired August 04, 2002 - 11:04 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The latest violence in the Middle East drew a quick and determined response from President Bush. We get more on the president's reaction from CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace. She's in Kennebunkport with the president.
Hi there, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.
President Bush showing his anger, waiving his finger, reacting to this latest violence before an early morning golf game here in Kennebunkport, Maine. The president also then calling on all nations to prevent these terrorist attacks and to prevent them from derailing the Middle East peace process.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning, Mr. President.
BUSH: I'm distressed to hear about the latest suicide bombers in Israel. For those who yearn for peace in the Middle East, for those in the Arab lands, for those in Europe, for those all around the world who yearn for peace, we must do everything we possibly can to stop the terror.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: This, though, another blow to efforts to reduce the violence. On Thursday, in the oval office, the president joined by King Abdullah of Jordan. Mr. Bush saying he was furious to learn that five Americans among the seven victims in Wednesday's bombing at Hebrew university. The militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for that bombing and also for today's bus bombing in Israel.
The president then was asked if the U.S. would respond in any way to the killings of Americans. He said the administration was already responding through its ongoing fight against terror. But one prominent Democratic senator is speaking out saying the administration is not doing enough to prevent money from going to groups like Hamas. In particular, Senator Joseph Lieberman, a Democrat from Connecticut, believes the administration should be putting more pressure on U.S. allies such as Saudi Arabia.
Here's Senator Lieberman from a Sunday morning interview program.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I'm saying that there's very ample evidence that from Saudi Arabia, Hamas and other terrorist groups claiming credit for bombings such as those that have occurred this week, including those that killed five Americans, have sent money from Saudi Arabia to these terrorist groups. That can't go on anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So far, no official reaction from the White House to those comments. U.S. officials have said previously that Hamas is one of the groups, terrorist groups, whose assets are frozen in the United States. U.S. companies also barred from doing business or sending money to groups like Hamas -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Well, Kelly, let talk about Secretary of State Colin Powell's latest meeting with Palestinian officials on this very issue. What came of that meeting?
WALLACE: Well, actually, Fredricka, that meeting expected to take place this week. Palestinian officials to come to Washington to meet with Secretary Powell. This will be the highest level meeting between the Bush administration and Palestinian officials ever since President Bush made clear he believes Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must go, that there must be new leadership in order to have a Palestinian state.
So, look for that meeting to focus on a range of issues including security. This administration believes there must be a new security force to stop terrorist attacks. And President Bush has made clear he's very frustrated with efforts so far -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much, Kelly Wallace from Kennebunkport. Appreciate it.
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