Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Sunday

Colin Powell Focuses on the Middle East

Aired November 18, 2001 - 18:13   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: While the Bush administration is considering its present and future actions in Afghanistan, it's also focusing on the Middle East. The troubled region will be the subject of a major speech to be delivered by Secretary of State Colin Powell tomorrow. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins with us a live report and more details -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Donna, at this very moment, President Bush arriving back at the White House. You see some live pictures there. This after the president spending about five days at his Crawford, Texas ranch, much of the time hosting and getting to know Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as discussing a variety of issues, including the war against terrorism. The two leaders, though, still have not resolved differences over U.S. plans for a missile defense system.

You see the president walking. Never quite clear if he will come talk to reporters. We'll certainly monitor that and see if he will come to the microphones.

Now the president gearing up for, Donna, as you noted, a very busy week ahead. The president's Secretary of State Colin Powell to deliver a very big speech on Monday.

Just let's listen and see if he talks to reporters.

I think he's talking to the first family pets there, not our fellow colleagues there out on the South Lawn.

The president's secretary of state, as we were saying, Colin Powell, to deliver a speech on the Middle East, laying out what he calls his vision and promise for the Middle East. Now, many Arab and Muslim countries have been calling on the Bush administration to play a much bigger role in trying to reduce tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Some leaders saying if the U.S. didn't play a bigger role, it could lose Muslim and Islamic support in its campaign against terrorism.

The secretary saying on the Sunday morning talk shows today that there won't be any new plan that he will be putting forward. Secretary Powell saying no new plan is needed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: A new plan coming in from the flank isn't what's going to do it. It's both sides working together, finding ways to talk to each other so that we can get a real cease- fire in place, and we can use that cease-fire to start rebuilding trust and confidence, get openings in the region so people can go back and forth and get to their jobs. And when you start to build that level of trust, then you are on your way to the negotiation called for in the Mitchell plan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And when the secretary talks about the Mitchell plan, he's referring to the plan put together by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, calling for the two sides to put an end to the violence and to take some steps that would hopefully pave the way for them getting back to the peace table.

Now, Donna, as for President Bush, a busy Monday indeed ahead. He will in the morning sign into law a bill that will really change airport security as we know it. The federal government taking over screening for baggage and for passengers, at least over the next three years. A big challenge will be hiring 28,000 federal workers to take over that screening.

The president also at a cabinet meeting to highlight the humanitarian efforts to help the people of Afghanistan. Senior officials telling CNN the president expected to announce that as many as 10,000 tons of U.S. wheat expected to go to the people of Afghanistan in the coming days.

And then, Donna, as you know, this is, of course, the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. A lot of concern from some Muslim countries that the military campaign is continuing during the holy month. The president will mark that event, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with a traditional (UNINTELLIGIBLE) dinner, this is the breaking of the fast after sunset.

Aides say they think it's the first dinner held here at the White House. About 50 ambassadors from Muslim countries will be here, Donna. The message is this is not a campaign against Muslims or against Islam. Aides say it will be a message of the campaign is against terrorists and those who harbor them.

Donna, back to you.

KELLEY: Kelly, thank you. Kelly Wallace at the White House.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com