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CNN Sunday Morning
Powell Urges Israelis, Palestinians to Take 'Practical Steps'
Aired May 11, 2003 - 07:09 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.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: Just moments ago we brought you that live news conference between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Secretary of State Colin Powell. We're going to go now to Jerusalem once again, where our Kelly Wallace is standing by with perspective from Jerusalem.
Kelly, hello.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Arthel.
Well, the secretary of state making it clear again, his second news conference here in Jerusalem, that he is believing that the only way to move forward here is for both sides to take what he calls "practical steps on the ground."
He said the Palestinians need to do things such as dismantle and rein in radical Palestinian groups responsible for terror attacks against Israelis, but he also says the Israelis need to take specific steps.
Now here, we didn't get any specifics from the secretary or from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, of Israel, about what exactly the Israelis are prepared to do. The secretary said that Prime Minister Sharon presented some "humanitarian gestures" that he believes could be helpful, but again, no specifics.
We are told by some senior Israeli officials these gestures could include things such as easing travel restrictions for the Palestinian people and issuing more work permits for Palestinians to work in Israel. It is not clear exactly when those gestures will be implemented. Perhaps, an announcement could come closer to when Prime Ministers Sharon travels to Washington on May 20th.
Also, it continues to be the positions of Israel, Arthel, that it wants to see changes to this road map and that it believes the Palestinians need to visibly crackdown on terror organizations before Prime Minister Sharon says Israel is prepared to make what he calls painful concessions.
Now, this news conference started about 45 minutes later than planned, so it does appear the two men were behind closed doors for a bit longer. From here the secretary travels to Jericho on the West Bank, for a meeting with the new Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and his negotiating team. And there, again, he will focus on what are the Palestinians doing to crackdown on terror. But, Arthel, he's also going to hear from the Palestinians, who are somewhat frustrated, they want to see the American administration put pressure on Israel now to implement that so-called Mideast road map without any changes. So, the secretary is likely to hear that from the Palestinians and we'll do another news conference later to see what comes out of that meeting, Arthel.
NEVILLE: Oh, yes, indeed, Kelly. Lots of complexities involved there. And we will bring that news conference to you later this morning, at about 9:30 Eastern Time. Be sure to stay tuned.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Steps'>
Aired May 11, 2003 - 07:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: Just moments ago we brought you that live news conference between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Secretary of State Colin Powell. We're going to go now to Jerusalem once again, where our Kelly Wallace is standing by with perspective from Jerusalem.
Kelly, hello.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Arthel.
Well, the secretary of state making it clear again, his second news conference here in Jerusalem, that he is believing that the only way to move forward here is for both sides to take what he calls "practical steps on the ground."
He said the Palestinians need to do things such as dismantle and rein in radical Palestinian groups responsible for terror attacks against Israelis, but he also says the Israelis need to take specific steps.
Now here, we didn't get any specifics from the secretary or from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, of Israel, about what exactly the Israelis are prepared to do. The secretary said that Prime Minister Sharon presented some "humanitarian gestures" that he believes could be helpful, but again, no specifics.
We are told by some senior Israeli officials these gestures could include things such as easing travel restrictions for the Palestinian people and issuing more work permits for Palestinians to work in Israel. It is not clear exactly when those gestures will be implemented. Perhaps, an announcement could come closer to when Prime Ministers Sharon travels to Washington on May 20th.
Also, it continues to be the positions of Israel, Arthel, that it wants to see changes to this road map and that it believes the Palestinians need to visibly crackdown on terror organizations before Prime Minister Sharon says Israel is prepared to make what he calls painful concessions.
Now, this news conference started about 45 minutes later than planned, so it does appear the two men were behind closed doors for a bit longer. From here the secretary travels to Jericho on the West Bank, for a meeting with the new Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and his negotiating team. And there, again, he will focus on what are the Palestinians doing to crackdown on terror. But, Arthel, he's also going to hear from the Palestinians, who are somewhat frustrated, they want to see the American administration put pressure on Israel now to implement that so-called Mideast road map without any changes. So, the secretary is likely to hear that from the Palestinians and we'll do another news conference later to see what comes out of that meeting, Arthel.
NEVILLE: Oh, yes, indeed, Kelly. Lots of complexities involved there. And we will bring that news conference to you later this morning, at about 9:30 Eastern Time. Be sure to stay tuned.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Steps'>
