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Joint Statement Calls on Israel to Withdraw Immediately

Aired April 10, 2002 - 05:50   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And now for more on Secretary of State Colin Powell's search for peace in the Middle East, and specifically Powell's visit to Madrid this morning, CNN's State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel is traveling with the secretary. She joins us live now -- good morning, Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

That's right, the Middle East group involving the representatives from the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the United States, just wrapped up their meeting. They issued a joint statement in which they called on Israel to withdraw immediately, to cease and desist in West Bank cities and towns. They also called on Yasser Arafat to end incitement and to do what he could to end terrorism.

Secretary of State Powell is on this Middle East mission right now. Has just wrapped up a couple of stops in the Arab world. He's going to continue on to Israel at the end of the week, and there was a strong endorsement of his mission by those representatives here in Madrid.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We need to accelerate the political process closer to the cease-fire and the security apparatus that might be put in place, because I think the Palestinian of the world, the Israeli people, should be anxious to get to a dialogue that will result in a negotiating process that will lead to a solution in this crisis. I think we are all in agreement, I think the world is in agreement that there will not be a solution that will be produced by terror or will be produced by a response to terror.

This is not going to get us there. What will get us there are political discussions. And the sooner we can get to them the better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOPPEL: But political discussions seem a long way off, as the siege of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, continues in Ramallah, as does Israeli occupation of most of West Bank towns and cities. Having said that, State Department officials have expressed their confidence that the endorsement that they got today will help them as Secretary Powell moves on from here back to the Middle East. But having said that, thus far, Carol, Secretary Powell's mission, at least in the Arab world in gaining their support, has not gone well -- Carol.

COSTELLO: No it hasn't. We had heard that the European Union is considering some sanctions against Israel. Can you tell us more about that?

KOPPEL: Well prior to Secretary Powell's arrival, the European Union had made clear that it was considering putting in effect some trade sanctions against Israel. The EU and Israel have their own separate relationship.

But having said that, Secretary Powell said it wasn't raised during the meeting today. Clearly, the United States is not in favor of putting any sort of punitive measures in effect against Israel, trying to minimize the amount of public criticism of the Israeli government for its failure to respond thus far and its blatant ignoring of demands from the international community, from President Bush and others to withdraw immediately from the West Bank -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Andrea Koppel, reporting live from Madrid this morning. Thanks to you.

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