[Linda Stouffer, Cnn Anchor:] And now to the Middle East summit in Egypt, where this morning there is talk of progress toward ending the violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. For more, we're joined by CNN's Walter Rodgers, who is live right now in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Hello, Walter.
[Walter Rodgers, Cnn Correspondent:] Hello, Linda. Indeed, it does appear, in the waning hours of this summit, we may have something of a breakthrough. The indications appear to be that President Clinton has persuaded the parties to come to an agreement, a mutually acceptable agreement on ending the violence and arranging a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians. That cease-fire was the Israelis' principle demand here, but it appears as though the Palestinians may have gotten their way as well. Nabil Shaf, a member of the Palestinian delegation here, has indicated that there will be, or the Palestinians believe, also part of this package will be lifting the lifting of the siege, the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian cities. Also, there is to be, we are told by Mr. Shaf, an independent commission, a panel, which will look into the causes of the violence, that was a prerequisite for Yasser Arafat to leave this summit with some kind of victory. And we're told that the panel will be, panel members will be decided by President Clinton, as well as the United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan. So it appears to have something of an international composition. Mr. Clinton only got about three hours sleep last night. He met until nearly 4:00 in the morning, and then he decided to call a recess. He was back at work in less than three hours. The president of the United States meeting principally with the Arabs who are at this summit. The Palestinians have said that President Clinton is actually negotiating for the Israelis here. Yasser Arafat has been mightily unhappy throughout this. His principle demand seems to have been that the Israelis live up to commitments made at previous summits.
[Yasser Arafat, Pres., Palestinian Authority:] Looking at the honest and accurate implementation of what has been signed here in Sharm el-Sheikh with Mr. Barak and there in Washington, in Kava, in Wye River, everywhere.
[Rodgers:] The summiteers met for 16 hours yesterday. They tried to scale a grevious mountain of grievances and harsh words. Twice the summit broke up on the ministerial level. There were shouting matches between the Palestinians and the Israelis. At one point, the Palestinians were calling the Israelis murderers. Still, the climate has improved this morning. A short while ago, I spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah, and I asked His Majesty the outlook for the summit. He held two royal fingers in the air and said: We're keeping our fingers crossed. So it does look like there may be a positive outcome here yet Linda.
[Stouffer:] Well, Walter, just to be clear, so Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak, do they ever actually see each other, meet face-to-face?
[Rodgers:] Oh yes, they actually saw each other. They shared lunch at one point. I wouldn't say it was a warm or friendly meeting by any stretch of the imagination, but they were in the same room together. Most of the negotiating, however, was done by the Americans shuttling back and forth between Israel and the Palestinians. And we are expecting a final plenary meeting perhaps within the next hour or so, which may bring Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak together one last time, that's not clear. But yes, they did see each other and they did chat briefly, although not in an overly friendly fashion at one point yesterday Linda.
[Stouffer:] I would imagine so. Walter Rodgers, live in Egypt, thank you very much for that.