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CNN Saturday Morning News

Israel Seals Off West Bank, Gaza After Bombing in Tel Aviv

Aired June 02, 2001 - 08:00   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: Israel has sealed off Gaza and the West Bank and ordered all Palestinian workers out of the country. Further action could be coming as the Israeli Cabinet debates how to respond to last night's deadly suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv nightclub in which 18 people, mostly Israeli teenagers, were killed.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel joining us with the latest from Jerusalem -- Jerrold.

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, in all those 17 people who were killed by the suicide bomber, himself killed in that incident, in that attack outside the Tel Aviv nightclub on the promenade of a bustling Tel Aviv last night, now being identified. Still four people in critical condition in hospital, another seven seriously hurt. Among 115 people were hurt in that terror incident. And in the wake of that, the Israeli cabinet met.

And Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Authority president, after meeting with the visiting German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, the top U.N. envoy in the area, the special U.N. envoy Terje Larsen came out and made a statement about the incident and about the possibility of cease-fire and Mr. Arafat said we exerted, we'll now exert our utmost efforts to stop the bloodshed of our people and the Israeli people to do all that is needed to achieve an immediate and unconditional real and effective cease-fire through a joint effort.

That statement by the Palestinian Authority president a short while ago.

And even since then a statement from the Israeli government at the end of an emergency meeting this Saturday morning of the security cabinet down in Tel Aviv, and the government spokesman saying in that statement, which has just come out a few minutes ago, saying that the Israeli government, in a very bland form, but no details, saying that the Israeli government will do whatever is needed to do to protect the lives of its citizens.

No more than that in stating what Israel will do or will not do, what measures it will take in response to this terror incident yesterday. And also in that statement by the Israeli cabinet after its emergency meeting this morning, the statement read out saying that Israel holds Yasser Arafat personally and the Palestinian Authority directly responsible, the statement saying that the Authority not only abets terror, in the words of the Israeli statement, but actually carries out terror and incitement to terror.

That's a very strong statement by the Israelis after their cabinet meeting and Israeli officials are saying what is important in the wake of the Arafat statement and not words but actions.

Now, joined here in our Jerusalem bureau we are by the senior U.N. envoy Terje Larsen. Thanks very much, Mr. Larsen. You, with Mr. Fischer, were there and helping in the drafting of that statement by Yasser Arafat. Is it enough, given the fact of what we're now hearing what the Israeli cabinet is saying to hold back the two sides from further violence, perhaps to set the events in chain towards a cease- fire?

TERJE LARSEN, U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY TO MIDEAST: Let me first say that, on behalf of the secretary general, that I would like to condemn as strongly as I can this horrifying apparent act of violence in Tel Aviv. I was pleased to note also that President Arafat, when I met with him earlier today, together with Foreign Minister Fisher of Germany, also very strongly and without any ambiguity, condemned this act.

Then answering your question, I do think that Arafat gave some very, very positive statements today, which I also do hope that the government of Israel will take note of. I think he's stretching out a hand. However, it is now important not only to which words but also to look at deeds. Words have to be followed by deeds on both sides. Both sides have now committed themselves to the Mitchell Report. Arafat did so once again today. And both sides have called for a cease-fire.

KESSEL: What would you expect to see to be done? In addition to the words and the deeds, what do you see the Israelis needing to do, what do you see the Palestinians needing to do?

LARSEN: On the basis of what Mr. Fisher told, sorry, Mr. Arafat told Mr. Fisher and myself earlier today and on the basis of his public statement, what we are expecting is that security measures will be put into motion immediately and also that security cooperation is at the highest level, is put into motion so that deeds should follow immediately after these words.

KESSEL: Are you hopeful that the region, the Palestinians and the Israelis can haul themselves back from the brink now?

LARSEN: Of course, we have no other choice but to hope. I do hope that on the Israeli side that Arafat's steps today were considered as positive and as steps in the right direction and that all sides now are holding back. However, as I said, deeds are more important than words.

KESSEL: Thank you very much, Terje Larsen, the chief special U.N. envoy to the region. And as he said, it was to the deeds rather then the words only that we will be looking. I dare say all sides will be looking to that and we shall be following developments a they unfold in this dramatically unfolding both diplomatic and on the ground security situation -- back to you in Atlanta, Miles. O'BRIEN: All right, CNN's Jerrold Kessel, thanks much.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Miles, strong words out of the White House as well in response. Kathleen Koch standing by there -- Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, well, obviously the White House has strongly condemned the bombing and the promise by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to do what he can to work towards an immediate cease-fire, that promise is welcome. It is also what President Bush directly called for in his statement yesterday, reacting to the bombing.

But the question here is the same as it has always been, can Arafat deliver on that promise? Can he actually control the more radical Palestinian elements who he says are perpetrating this violence? Mr. Bush's statement, to quote it, called the attack "a senseless attack against innocent civilians."

Now, also speaking out on the bombing is former President Bill Clinton. As you will recall, he worked long and hard personally intervening to try to bring about peace in the Middle East and he also strongly deplored the attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM J. CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They have to find a way to go forward without violence and there's got to be a set of options available to them that's in the interests of both parties. Killing children surely is not the only way they can think to do their business. It's wrong and it has to be stopped.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: The White House is watching now to see how Israel will retaliate. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged that any response be moderate. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has, in the past, criticized Israel when it has struck back with violence. So Colin Powell is actually meeting Monday with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in Costa Rica, where the two are attending a meeting of the Organization of American States. And it is, indeed, expected that this attack will be at the top of their agenda. Back to you.

LIN: Kathleen, you mentioned that the White House is watching. At this point, does President Bush see this as an opportunity or a need for him to get more directly involved?

KOCH: Carol, we're told that at this point neither President Bush nor Secretary of State Powell have made any phone calls to any leaders in the Middle East, which is, of course, in stark contrast to the practice of the Clinton administration.

So while this may be seen as an opportunity, obviously an opportunity for Israel to increase its pressure on the United States to step in more directly, at this point the Bush administration isn't stepping forward. There are, of course, ongoing processes, steps toward helping out in achieving peace.

The U.S. is expecting back this weekend Assistant Secretary of State Designate for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns, who has been in the region trying to find ways to get the parties back to the table. But these are small steps, not giant steps.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, Kathleen Koch this morning from the White House.

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