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CNN Sunday Morning
Egyptian Delegation to Mediate Talks Between Palestinian Authority, Hamas
Aired June 15, 2003 - 07:04 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.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the cauldron that is the Middle East. An Egyptian delegation will be mediating talks in Gaza today between the Palestinian Authority and several Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.
Let's see if there is any hope for this particular gathering. Our Jerrold Kessel is in Jerusalem; he joins us now live -- Jerrold.
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Renay.
Really this is a pivotal moment for these efforts that were launched by President Bush some 10 days ago, to try to move the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, this bloody conflict, from confrontation back to negotiation and down that peace road.
But what's happening on the ground is not all goes well that peace initiative after the welter of violence and so many deaths during the last week. This continued last night, a Palestinian militant killed in Gaza by Israeli forces who said they were trying to stop Palestinians carrying out rocketing attacks on Israeli towns in southern Israel. There were two more such attacks this morning, no casualties, there.
And on the West Bank, there Israeli forces have arrested what they say, intercepted three leading militants whom they say were planning future suicide bombing attacks.
Jewish settlers have also been active putting up five new wildcat outposts on hilltops in the West Bank to try to thwart their Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, going ahead and implementing his part of Israel's commitment to that peace initiative. So, that doesn't all go well.
But there is a flurry of diplomatic and security activity at the negotiating table, which might change things around. Last night, the top Israeli and Palestinian security negotiators met for three hours and at least they didn't come away blaming each other as vociferously as they have done in the past. There may be something to build on there.
And down in Gaza today, as you rightly say, the Egyptians have sent an important delegation to try to mediate between the Palestinian Authority and the militant groups like Hamas, to stop Hamas continuing it's murderous attacks on Israelis in Israeli cities. And then perhaps the most important development, that U.S. delegation, a group of monitors headed by senior U.S. envoy, John Wolf, has arrived. They are to begin their talks with Israeli officials and Palestinian officials.
And the key to whether negotiations can take front stage ahead of the violence will be on the degree affirmative action that the United States is willing apply to the situation. Perhaps pressure, perhaps cajoling, that will be the key in the next few days. But if the violence continues it could engulf even those best laid intent (ph) of the negotiators.
Renay, back to you for now.
SAN MIGUEL: Jerrold Kessel, live in Jerusalem, thanks very much for the report.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Authority, Hamas>
Aired June 15, 2003 - 07:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the cauldron that is the Middle East. An Egyptian delegation will be mediating talks in Gaza today between the Palestinian Authority and several Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.
Let's see if there is any hope for this particular gathering. Our Jerrold Kessel is in Jerusalem; he joins us now live -- Jerrold.
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Renay.
Really this is a pivotal moment for these efforts that were launched by President Bush some 10 days ago, to try to move the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, this bloody conflict, from confrontation back to negotiation and down that peace road.
But what's happening on the ground is not all goes well that peace initiative after the welter of violence and so many deaths during the last week. This continued last night, a Palestinian militant killed in Gaza by Israeli forces who said they were trying to stop Palestinians carrying out rocketing attacks on Israeli towns in southern Israel. There were two more such attacks this morning, no casualties, there.
And on the West Bank, there Israeli forces have arrested what they say, intercepted three leading militants whom they say were planning future suicide bombing attacks.
Jewish settlers have also been active putting up five new wildcat outposts on hilltops in the West Bank to try to thwart their Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, going ahead and implementing his part of Israel's commitment to that peace initiative. So, that doesn't all go well.
But there is a flurry of diplomatic and security activity at the negotiating table, which might change things around. Last night, the top Israeli and Palestinian security negotiators met for three hours and at least they didn't come away blaming each other as vociferously as they have done in the past. There may be something to build on there.
And down in Gaza today, as you rightly say, the Egyptians have sent an important delegation to try to mediate between the Palestinian Authority and the militant groups like Hamas, to stop Hamas continuing it's murderous attacks on Israelis in Israeli cities. And then perhaps the most important development, that U.S. delegation, a group of monitors headed by senior U.S. envoy, John Wolf, has arrived. They are to begin their talks with Israeli officials and Palestinian officials.
And the key to whether negotiations can take front stage ahead of the violence will be on the degree affirmative action that the United States is willing apply to the situation. Perhaps pressure, perhaps cajoling, that will be the key in the next few days. But if the violence continues it could engulf even those best laid intent (ph) of the negotiators.
Renay, back to you for now.
SAN MIGUEL: Jerrold Kessel, live in Jerusalem, thanks very much for the report.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Authority, Hamas>
