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CNN Live Sunday

Powell Prepares to Depart for Middle East

Aired April 07, 2002 - 17:08   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: As President Bush returns to Washington from Texas, Secretary of state Colin Powell prepares to depart for the Middle East. He will begin what may be the administration's most difficult diplomatic mission yet. CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace filed this report from Crawford, Texas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush's top advisers fanned out on the Sunday talk shows, delivering this message, that Mr. Bush expects Israel to withdraw now from the Palestinian areas it recently reoccupied, but that he also realizes a full pullout cannot be accomplished overnight.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: While he does expect Israel to begin the withdrawal without delay, he understands that it can't be helter skelter and chaotic.

WALLACE: But it has not begun yet, so the pressure continues publicly and privately. Powell called Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday, following up on the president's call one day earlier.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think Prime Minister Sharon has taken very much to heart and he understands clearly the message the president gave to him.

WALLACE: U.S. officials saying Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Sharon did not discuss a specific timetable for a withdrawal, but the U.S. hopes to see some action before Powell arrives in Israel at the end of the week. The secretary indicated he will meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, quote, "if circumstances permit."

POWELL: We'll have to see what those circumstances are. Accessibility, security issues, or other circumstances, and we'll see as the week proceeds.

WALLACE: The president and his top advisers, though, continue signaling that time may be running out for the Palestinian leader, unless he takes steps to stop Palestinian terrorist attacks again Israelis.

RICE: If Chairman Arafat is unable do that, then others are going to have to do it, if the Palestinian people are going to find a way forward. The Arab states have role to play here, too.

WALLACE: And that is why the secretary's trip will include meetings with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah, Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah. He will ask these leaders to put pressure on Arafat or consider engaging with other Palestinians to pave the way for a future Palestinian state.

(on camera): Secretary Powell heads to the Middle East Sunday night, beginning a mission he describes as difficult. He says he is not even sure he'll have a cease-fire in hand when he returns.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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