Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Sunday

Sharon Brings Documents Proving Links Between Arafat and Terrorism

Aired May 05, 2002 - 22:08   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's in Washington tonight. And he has brought with him some documents that Israel says proves links between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and terror attacks on Israeli civilians. Now Prime Minister will unveil his plan for Mid East peace, one that he says may be the most serious initiative yet for the region.

Here's CNN's senior White House correspondent John King.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The President's strategy rests on convincing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon he has little choice but to deal with Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, yet even the White House is raising new questions about Mr. Arafat's commitment to fighting terror and his stewardship of a Palestinian Authority the administration says is riddled with inefficiency and corruption.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Transparency and good governance is being demanded of every country in the world by this President, and the Palestinian Authority is going to have to start to meet some of those standards if it is going to be a foundational element for a new Palestinian State moving forward.

KING: That tough talk is part of a new U.S. effort to put Mr. Arafat on notice he is running short of time to prove himself. Mr. Sharon says it already is too late. Israel on Sunday released a report it says documents a direct Arafat role in terror attacks. The Palestinians say it is a fabrication, but Prime Minister Sharon says he will not negotiate with a terrorist.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We'll see what Mr. Sharon's paper says, but I haven't had a chance to read it or analyze it.

KING: Mr. Bush enters the talks looking to make the point that like it or not, Mr. Arafat is the recognized Palestinian Leader. The President also plans to urge Mr. Sharon to show good will by easing economic restrictions on Palestinians, and criticize continuing Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza as a major obstacle to diplomatic progress.

RICE: When Israel signed on to the Mitchell Plan, it signed on to a document that said that they will eventually have to deal with settlements. There ought to be a stop to settlements

KING: Mr. Sharon's view of the path ahead puts a premium on security. U.S. officials say the prime minister wants a short term agreement on security checkpoints and buffer zones to deter suicide bombings, and is wary of Arab calls for immediately comprehensive peace talks. The White House expects no breakthroughs during the prime minister's visit.

KING (on camera): One thing at a time is how National Security Adviser Rice describes the President's approach with ending the violence and addressing immediate security concerns at the top of the list.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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