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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Bush Administration Endorses Recommendations of Mitchell Panel, Appoints Ambassador to Mediate Between Israelis and Palestinians

Aired May 21, 2001 - 20:00   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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, a U.S.-led peace commission says Israelis and Palestinians must share the blame.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE MITCHELL, CHAIRMAN, MITCHELL COMMISSION: We call upon the parties to implement an immediate and unconditional cessation of violence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The Bush administration may be ready to ease back into a mediation role. What does that mean? We'll ask former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

He's often thumbed his nose at his alma mater, and some are thumbing theirs back. But President Bush shows he's a Yalie at heart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And to the "C" students...

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

I say, you too can be president of the United States.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Also, profiles in courage: a president who dared to issue a pardon and a freedom rider's lifelong fight for human rights. As a daughter honors her father's legacy, I'll speak with former President Gerald Ford, Congressman John Lewis and Caroline Kennedy.

Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer, reporting tonight from Washington.

Since taking office in January, President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have resisted pressure to resume the high-profile U.S. role in the Middle East that was a hallmark of the eight years of the Clinton administration. But with Israeli-Palestinian fighting escalating on a daily basis and now threatening to become an all-out war, that pressure appears to be forcing the Bush administration's hand.

Today, Secretary Powell accepted the recommendations of a panel named by President Clinton. The stakes for everyone are enormous, and that's our top story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Violence in the Middle East continued for another day, even as former Senator George Mitchell presented his special committee's recommendations to stop it.

MITCHELL: There's going to have to be dramatic steps taken to end the violence, to resume security cooperation, and then establish a cooling-off period, during which there will be hopefully a series of confidence-building measures on both sides.

BLITZER: Mitchell had tough recommendations for both sides. For the Palestinians: a call to join Israel in the fight against terrorism, including arresting militants operating freely in Palestinian areas, many of whom had been released from jail after the uprising began eight months ago.

For the Israelis: a call to freeze all building in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, long a sore spot for Palestinians. The Bush administration endorsed those recommendations and took a small, new step to increase its involvement.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The United States is prepared to work closely with the parties to develop a framework and timeline to implement the report's recommendations.

BLITZER: Secretary Powell named U.S. ambassador to Jordan William Burns, a special assistant, to help the parties resume negotiations.

While mortars, bullets and missiles flew, both sides professed a willingness to talk.

SAEB ERAKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: What we need to do now is to begin a very serious effort at seeking to put the proper mechanisms of implementation within a specified timeline of the Mitchell report.

SHIMON PERES, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: I think we shouldn't waste time. We shouldn't let anymore violence and shooting and killing. Cease-fire should enter into becoming a new reality as soon as possible.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: While the last two U.S. administrations helped steer Middle-East peace efforts, President Bush has so far kept his hands off the wheel. Can the United States keep the region from spinning out of control? A short while ago, I spoke with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (on camera): Madam Secretary, thanks for joining us. Is it right right now for the Bush administration to elevate its involvement in this Israeli-Palestinian situation?

MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Absolutely. I think that it's very important that the United States made clear our interests that the parties work this out. But the U.S. does need to be involved, absolutely.

BLITZER: Have they waited too long?

ALBRIGHT: Well, it's very hard to say. I wish that there had been more activity, but there may have been some behind the scenes, but ultimately, Wolf, the due parties have to be the ones to take the hard decisions, but the U.S. cannot be absent from the process.

BLITZER: What's wrong with the notion that the Bush administration came in with, that the onus should be on the Israelis and the Palestinians to work this out themselves?

ALBRIGHT: Well, they need to have a catalyst, they need to have somebody there as an honest broker, which is the role that we played, and I think that obviously the onus is on them to make the hard decisions, but I think that the United States -- it's in our national interests that we'd be involved.

BLITZER: The Clinton administration, for eight solid years, was intimately involved, in almost step of the way, yet when you wound up at the end, it appeared as if the whole situation has collapsed. Perhaps, an active U.S. involvement like that is not necessarily the answer?

ALBRIGHT: I don't believe that, because for all those years that we were involved, we were able to keep moving the process forward and avoided a lot of this kind of violence. We came very, very close, Wolf, and I'm very sorry that we were not able to succeed. It's one of our great frustrations, but I do think that we made the process move forward, and our involvement over time, I think, was helpful in building confidence.

BLITZER: In accepting the recommendations of the Mitchell report, and of course, your administration, you and the President Clinton named George Mitchell to head that commission, the administration seemed to be a little bit ambiguous on the proposal to freeze all Israeli settlement activity on the West Bank and Gaza. Should the U.S. lean on Israel to stop all settlement activity?

ALBRIGHT: Well, we have always said that unilateral acts are not useful. And I think that that is the case here. I think that outward expansion of the settlements has been something that has been a problem, an obstacle in terms of moving the peace process forward. We stated that a number of times that it was a complicating factor in the peace process, and I hope very much, as Secretary Powell said, that this issue can be resolved. It's a very difficult one, very sensitive for the Israelis and the Palestinians.

BLITZER: And how do you get the Palestinians to resume security cooperation with the Israelis, including dealing with militants, some of whom have been released from prisons and are now freely moving around the West Bank?

ALBRIGHT: I think what's important, as everyone has said, is that the violence must stop. There really has to be a cease-fire in that regard. And then, the security measures in the confidence- building measures have to go forward. The Palestinians have to not only arrest people, but make sure that they actually are sentenced properly, and that there's not a revolving door.

And that is the requirement upon the Palestinians in terms of trying to get some control over the activities there. I think that's absolutely essential.

BLITZER: Secretary Albright, it was kind of you to join us. Thank you very much.

ALBRIGHT: Good to be with you, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: In other news tonight, Ford Motor Company is expected to make an announcement tomorrow over reports it may call for an expanded recall of Firestone tires on Ford Explorers. The word comes hours after Firestone cut its nearly century-long relationship with Ford. Relations between the companies became strained in August over claims defective Firestone tires were linked to dozens of fatal highway crashes.

President Bush took time out today to revisit his ivy-covered roots, roots he hasn't always owned up to. A Connecticut Yankee in the White House? The president may have been raised in Texas, but he was born in New Haven.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A homecoming of sorts. George W. Bush, who has only been back to his alma mater once since graduating in 1968, returns to address those at the top and the bottom of Yale's graduating class.

BUSH: And to the "C" students...

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

I say you too can be president of the United States.

(LAUGHTER) WALLACE: The president offering a self-deprecating account of his days as an undergraduate, when as a history major, he earned modest grades and was known more as a fraternity boy prankster than a rising political star.

The visit was not without controversy, with some students protesting and some professors boycotting, charging that Mr. Bush was not yet deserving of an honorary degree.

PROF. PETER BROOKS, YALE UNIVERSITY: He doesn't seem at present to represent the intellectual ideals and the service to humanity which we think Yale stands for.

WALLACE (on camera): The president has kept his distance from this Ivy League institution for most of his political life, painting it as a symbol of elitism, even during his days at Yale.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, JULY 12, 2000)

TERRY JOHNSON, BUSH'S YALE ROOMMATE: What George is -- does not respond well to are people who are snobs, whether you're a social snob, an intellectual snob, or any other kind of snob.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: The president for years has been miffed with Yale for not awarding an honorary degree to his dad until 1991, the third year of his presidency. But it appears now all is forgiven.

BUSH: In my time, they spoke of the Yale man. I was really never sure what that was. But I do think I am a better man because of Yale.

WALLACE: Mr. Bush, the son and grandson of Yalies, and now the father of a current student, seems very proud that Yale is a part of his past.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, New Haven, Connecticut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Up next, Profiles in Courage: a tough decision to heal a divided nation; a lifelong fight for civil rights. I'll speak with former President Gerald Ford, Congressman John Lewis and Caroline Kennedy.

And what kind of hurricane season can we expect? A computer may have the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Each year, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation recognizes an elected official who has withstood strong opposition to follow his or her conscience. In Boston today, the Profile in Courage Award went to Former President Gerald Ford. After assuming office in 1974, he took what was then the very unpopular step of pardoning his predecessor, Richard Nixon, who had resigned during impeachment proceedings tied to the Watergate scandal. President Ford said he acted to hasten the recovery from what he called "our long national nightmare."

Earlier today I spoke with Mr. Ford, and with Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who won a lifetime achievement award for his civil rights work. Caroline Kennedy presented the awards inspired by her father.

Congressman Lewis, Caroline Kennedy, President Ford, thank you so much for joining us. And I want to being with you, President Ford. First of all, congratulations on this honor.

How difficult a was it? At the time, of course, you were vilified. Now you're being honored. It must have been one of the most difficult decisions of your life.

GERALD FORD, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Wolf, I knew it would be controversial. It turned out to be much more unpopular at the time than I anticipated, but that made no difference whatsoever. I never backed off, because it was the right thing to do. And of course, to have the Kennedy family and the Kennedy Library now recognize it as a right thing with the Profile in Courage is a very, very encouraging development, and I'm deeply grateful to Caroline and the Kennedy family.

BLITZER: I remember covering that extraordinary period. I was a young journalist at the time. But as you well remember, a lot of experts, pundits suggest that you lost the election in 1976 to Jimmy Carter in part, perhaps in large part, because of that decision.

Do you think you did?

FORD: There was no doubt it was a factor, because many good people throughout the country still felt very strongly that President Nixon deserved a trial, et cetera. But the election was so close, there could have been any one of a number of things that decided it. Jimmy Carter and I had a head-to-head campaign that worked, I think, as an example of how you can campaign at the presidential level and still have a good relationship. And Jimmy Carter and I, thank goodness, have had a fine friendship for the last 20-some years.

So, yes, the pardon probably was a factor, but I doubt if it really was the only factor in this case.

BLITZER: Why do you believe the decision is being seen so differently today than it was seen then? What has happened over these years that is now resulting in this change of heart towards you and your controversial decision?

FORD: Well, Wolf, if you go back to 1974, you well remember how disillusioned the American people were. We had the tragedy of the Watergate mess, we had the difficulties of the war in Vietnam, families were torn apart, communities were disrupted. There was a bad, bad atmosphere throughout the country. And that's why I said, when I took the oath of office, our long national nightmare is over. I had to move forward and heal the wounds of Watergate and the tragedy of Vietnam. And I think by moving forward, doing something courageous, even if unpopular, gave some spirit and a new attitude on the part of the American people.

BLITZER: Caroline Kennedy, a lot of people are probably wondering right now -- you've been giving this award, the John F. Kennedy Library Museum. I think, since 1989. What took so long? Why did you have to wait so long to give President Ford this great honor?

(LAUGHTER)

CAROLINE KENNEDY, DAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY: Well, I think he was out way ahead of the rest of us, and I'm glad that we were able to catch up now. I think it really -- all of us really -- the fascinating thing for me was to sort of be put back in time and to realize what a courageous decision this was for him to take. And it really exemplifies the kind of political courage that we hope to see more of in our elected officials, and that we hope people will encourage them to show.

BLITZER: How much of a debate -- the committee -- and it was a distinguished committee -- how much of a debate was there?

KENNEDY: Well, there was no debate as to the risk that President Ford took and the courage of this decision. I think, as I said, I think that people really were brought back into that time. And there were so many strong emotions at that time, that I think it really forced us all to reexamine, and to look at the decision as if -- from President Ford's perspective.

BLITZER: Congressman Lewis, you're receiving a lifetime achievement award for your Profile in Courage 40 years ago as a young man. You risked your life in those freedom marches, those freedom rides. What made you take such a risk at that time as a man in his early 20s?

REP. JOHN LEWIS (D), GEORGIA: Well, first of all, let me just say that I feel so lucky, but more than lucky. I feel very blessed to be receiving this award from Caroline Kennedy and the Kennedy Library.

Sometime in life you just have to do what you think is right. Well, 40 years ago during the Freedom Ride I tried to stand up against racism, against bigotry, against discrimination, and I was prepared to put my body on the line. And I have been trying to do that since I have been in the Congress and then an elected official. You just have to go for it.

In spite of the risks, in spite of the fears, you just have to be consistent and persistent, and never giving up or giving in. And you just have to stand up for what you believe in, what you believe is right. And that's what we all must continue to do.

BLITZER: How far have we come, as a nation, in dealing with race in the United States? LEWIS: Oh, we have come such a great distance. Sometimes I hear some of our young people saying nothing has changed. I just feel like saying sometimes: Come and walk in my shoes, and I'll show you we live in a different place, in a different nation.

When I was growing up in rural Alabama and involved in sit-ins in Nashville, the Freedom Rides, the marches -- I saw those signs that said "white men," "colored men," "white women," "colored women," "white waiting," "colored waiting" -- those signs are gone and they will not return. And our young people today will never, ever see those signs. We are in the process of building a truly beloved community, a truly interracial democracy in America. We are on our way. There won't be any turning pack.

BLITZER: Congressman Lewis, congratulations to you as well.

LEWIS: Thank you, sir.

BLITZER: I just want to get back to you for a second. The last time I interviewed you, that I had the pleasure of interviewing you, was at the Republican convention this past year. And at that time, of course, right after the interview you were taken to the hospital with a little stroke. How are you feeling right now? I'm sure our viewers are very interested in knowing that.

FORD: Well, Wolf, after eight days in the hospital in Philadelphia, I have totally recovered from the stroke that I had at the convention. I have had no aftereffects whatsoever. And so as of now I am in 100 percent. I feel very good for somebody who will be 88 in a couple of months.

BLITZER: Well, we'll be celebrating your birthday in a couple of months. I want to thank all of you. Congressman Lewis, Caroline Kennedy, President Ford, congratulations to all of you, and the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum for the historic day. Thank you so much.

GROUP: Thank you.

BLITZER: And up next: Stormy skies have several communities on edge today. We'll show you why lots of people have been keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts.

And to a storm of another kind, a judge rules on whether Rudy Giuliani's girlfriend can hang out at the mayor's mansion. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. In other news tonight, the Senate is preparing for a final vote tonight on a $1.35 trillion tax cut plan. The bipartisan proposal would trim income tax rates across the board, and calls for the full repeal of the estate tax and a reduction in the marriage penalty. If approved, the bill would need to be reconciled with a larger version passed by the House. New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's girlfriend is no longer welcome at the mayor's official residence. A judge today granted a request from Giuliani's wife, Donna Hanover, for a restraining order barring Judith Nathan from Gracie Mansion. Giuliani and Hanover are in the midst of a bitter divorce. Both continue to live at the mansion with their children.

Reported tornadoes caused substantial damage in suburban Detroit today, ripping off roofs and flipping vehicles. Tornado warnings were issued for much of the state. Despite the damage, no injuries or power blackouts have been reported.

Will it be safe to head to the coast this summer? Ahead on "The Leading Edge," we'll tell you what computer models are saying about the upcoming hurricane season. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Tonight on "The Leading Edge": A state-of-the-art computer model is helping experts predict this year's hurricane season. Forecasters say an average hurricane season is ahead, with as many as 11 tropical storms, seven of which might reach hurricane strength. These numbers are the lowest in the past three years.

The Red Cross is tightening restrictions on who can donate blood, as a precaution against mad cow disease. Beginning in September, the Red Cross plans to stop accepting donations from people who have spent at least three months in Britain since 1980, or six months anywhere else in Europe. Critics contend the move could endanger the blood supply, which is already facing a shortage.

Please stay with CNN throughout the night. Priscilla Sue Galey, the former stripper who was showered with gifts by accused FBI spy Robert Hanssen, is Larry King's guest at the top of the hour.

Up next, Greta Van Susteren. She's standing by to tell us what she has -- Greta.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST, CNN'S "THE POINT": Wolf, how many wives is too many? Polygamist Tom Green joins us.

As well, the 2004 presidential election just around the corner. A potential candidate joins us as well -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks, Greta, sounds good. Tomorrow night, the bitter fight over President Bush's nomination of Ted Olson to become the Justice Department solicitor general.

Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "THE POINT WITH GRETA VAN SUSTEREN" begins right now.

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