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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush Administration Officials React to Israeli Acceptance of Road Map
Aired May 25, 2003 - 10:53 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: From the Bush administration, more reaction on the newly-approved road map to peace. From the western White House, our Chris Burns -- Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, we just got some reaction from the western White House. A senior administration official reacting to the Israeli cabinet's acceptance of that road map for peace. A road map that sets out a timeline, or at least a plan for an independent Palestinian state by 2005. A senior administration official calling the Israeli acceptance "an important step forward. We look forward to working with all parties in the region," he says, "to realize the vision of peace laid out by President Bush in his June 24, 2002 speech." That was the speech that first laid out the elements of that road plan.
Now, of course, the next step is a possible summit among the three leaders. The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as well as Ariel Sharon, Israel's prime minister, and President Bush. President Bush saying on Friday that he was looking at or exploring the possibility of a summit among the three. Senior administration officials say they would like to see some first steps by both sides, the Israelis lifting some of the restrictions on the Palestinians; the Palestinians doing more to fight, or at least bring the militants under control -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So, Chris, does that mean that this potential summit could be just weeks away or months away, in which to give some time for some of those things to take place?
BURNS: Well, that is the big question, Fredricka. Will it happen when the president is on his way back from the G-8 summit in Europe in about 10 days or so? Will they meet in Egypt in Sharm el- Shaikh, the Red Sea resort there, or will they give it a little bit more time? That is the question. But it does appear the White House would like to see some initial steps in the right direction before the leaders would meet -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Burns, thank you very much, from Crawford, Texas.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
of Road Map>
Aired May 25, 2003 - 10:53 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: From the Bush administration, more reaction on the newly-approved road map to peace. From the western White House, our Chris Burns -- Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, we just got some reaction from the western White House. A senior administration official reacting to the Israeli cabinet's acceptance of that road map for peace. A road map that sets out a timeline, or at least a plan for an independent Palestinian state by 2005. A senior administration official calling the Israeli acceptance "an important step forward. We look forward to working with all parties in the region," he says, "to realize the vision of peace laid out by President Bush in his June 24, 2002 speech." That was the speech that first laid out the elements of that road plan.
Now, of course, the next step is a possible summit among the three leaders. The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as well as Ariel Sharon, Israel's prime minister, and President Bush. President Bush saying on Friday that he was looking at or exploring the possibility of a summit among the three. Senior administration officials say they would like to see some first steps by both sides, the Israelis lifting some of the restrictions on the Palestinians; the Palestinians doing more to fight, or at least bring the militants under control -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So, Chris, does that mean that this potential summit could be just weeks away or months away, in which to give some time for some of those things to take place?
BURNS: Well, that is the big question, Fredricka. Will it happen when the president is on his way back from the G-8 summit in Europe in about 10 days or so? Will they meet in Egypt in Sharm el- Shaikh, the Red Sea resort there, or will they give it a little bit more time? That is the question. But it does appear the White House would like to see some initial steps in the right direction before the leaders would meet -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Burns, thank you very much, from Crawford, Texas.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
of Road Map>
