Military

DATE=3/29/02

TYPE=INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

TITLE=SISCO AND LIEBER

NUMBER=3-112

BYLINE=WHITEIS

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

/// EDITORS: THIS INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN DALET UNDER SOD/ENGLISH NEWS NOW INTERVIEWS IN THE FOLDER FOR TODAY OR YESTERDAY ///

INTRO: As we have been reporting...a mini-war has erupted in the West Bank ... around Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. Heavy gunfire was reported between Israeli forces and Palestinian security officials. The firefight came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared Mr. Arafat to be an enemy, and sent tanks to the headquarters in Ramallah. Also, a female suicide bomber detonated explosives at a supermarket in Jerusalem, killing herself and at least two other people. At least 24 people were wounded.

HOST: Former Undersecretary of State Joseph Sisco and Georgetown University Government Professor Robert Lieber joined News Now's Frank Whiteis in the studio earlier today to talk about the escalating violence -- and the possibility of a ceasefire.

(Editors note: Tape starts with interviewer)

MR. WHITEIS: First, Mr. Sisco, we'll start with you, what is your take on the events of this day?

MR. Sisco: Well, I wish there were an answer. I think that the Israelis will isolate Arafat. I take the word of the Israelis that they don't want to kill Arafat, largely because of the fact that there doesn't appear to be a real alternative in the situation. But I see this violence continuing, kind of on a double track -- the violence continuing and, at the same time, the Arab leadership moving towards the U.N. Security Council, based on the resolution that was adopted here yesterday.

MR. WHITEIS: How about the Israeli statement, that they intend no harm to Mr. Arafat, and yet they are bombarding his compound, how do we explain that?

MR. Sisco: Well, there is no clear explanation, but I would think that they will be as careful as possible. I think that killing Arafat, with alternative, would only escalate the situation and deepen the crisis.

MR. WHITEIS: Professor Lieber, let me ask you, do you see any possibility of a cease-fire and any progress?

PROFESSOR LIEBER: Well, the situation is bad, but I think the real responsibility rests with Arafat. His cynical mixture of occasional cease-fires, which he violates, and deliberate use of deadly violence, including complicity with premeditated mass murder, which is what the suicide bombers are, including suicide bombers sent by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which are part of Fatah and which are funded by the Palestinian Authority, that this cynical policy has finally erupted in a deadly and very dangerous confrontation.

My guess is, and it's only a guess because these events are unfolding right now, is that the Israelis may have made a decision to disarm the Palestinians pending the emergence of some future Palestinian leader who is prepared to negotiate in good faith. The tragedy is that, for his own people, Arafat has not been a viable partner for negotiation.

MR. WHITEIS: A question that has come up within the last few days is: Does Yasser Arafat really have control over these people?

MR. Sisco: Some control, but not entirely. There is no doubt in my own mind that there are elements in the street who feel categorically and strongly that the only way is to use force, and have very little confidence, if any, in the so-called peace process. Therefore, Arafat has certainly more control, even at this point, than he has exercised, but not full control.

MR. WHITEIS: Joseph Sisco, Robert Lieber, we have word that the Bush administration is assessing these developments. As President Bush is on an extended vacation at his ranch in Texas, is he liable to return to Washington? How are they going to deal with this?

MR. Sisco: I think that location is not totally significant. I'm sure the President would return if necessary. These days, with communications being what they are, the meetings have been held by the President with his top advisors. And certainly, in this situation of crisis, the President will be fully involved, fully engaged, as he has been in recent weeks.

MR. WHITEIS: Thank you, gentlemen. It's good to get your insight on the Middle East developments.

Our guests have been Joseph Sisco, former Under Secretary of State at the State Department, and Professor Robert Lieber, Professor of Government at Georgetown University.

Host: The interview was conducted by News Now's Frank Whiteis.

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