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American Morning

Senator Clinton Discusses Latest U.S. Actions

Aired September 21, 2001 - 11:38   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Now we want to turn our attention to Senator Hillary Clinton, who joins us from Washington D.C. this morning.

Good to see you. I know you got delayed. We appreciate your dropping by after such a busy schedule this morning.

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Thank you. And Paula, thank you for all of your coverage. I've seen a lot of, and I think you've done a great job. And I know you weren't expecting to start so soon, but it's really meant a lot to a lot of people.

ZAHN: Well I appreciate that.

I wanted to get your reaction to a report from Steve Harrigan who just filed a story from northern Afghanistan. And he said that the Northern Alliance leaders he has spoken with have confirmed they were able to gain control of some 200 Taliban fighters along with the help of some U.S. intelligence. Does that suggest to you that the timetable for any sort of military action is being moved up?

CLINTON: Well Paula, I think it suggests to me that the planning and the very careful preparation that the president and his advisers have undertaken since September 11 is beginning to pay off.

I don't know all of the details. Certainly, this sounds like very good news, because we know that in order to be effective against these terrorist networks we're going to have to have allies. Allies who speak the language, who know the terrain and who are able to help guide the kind of response that we heard the president so strongly speak about last night.

ZAHN: One of your former colleagues, former Senator Bob Kerrey, said last night that the United States should hunt down and kill Osama bin Laden. Do you agree with him?

CLINTON: You know, Paula, we have to do what is necessary, and I thought one of the very strongest lines in the president's speech last night is that we would bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies. I think that's a line that will be memorable and stand alongside so many of the other very important lines of speech and resolve that presidents in the past have given us at times of great need. I think we have to do what is necessary and what is appropriate. I, certainly, have the greatest regard for my friend Bob Kerrey, who knows of what he speaks. I don't know that it would be possible to capture someone alive with the kind of fanatical beliefs that these people, including bin Laden, seem to possess.

So the important thing is to end the terrorist networks. We heard that very strongly from the president last night. That's what I think we're going to do.

ZAHN: Your husband targeted Osama bin Laden's organization in 1998, with an attack in Afghanistan, and some would say that attack certainly disrupted his operations, but it certainly didn't isolate Osama bin Laden. What lesson should President Bush learn from that?

CLINTON: I think we have all learned. We had some successes. We did capture the '93 World Trade Center bombers. We did hold them accountable. They are serving jail terms. We rolled up some of the networks. We were able to disrupt the operations. But we never had either the sense of absolute urgency, nor the international support that we now find rallying behind the president and our country.

So we've learned a lot. And I think that going forward, we're going to be much more effective in this struggle against terrorism.

ZAHN: But do you think President Bush has learned the lesson just how elusive a man Osama bin Laden is?

CLINTON: Well, I think all of us have. Certainly, the president and many of his advisers have followed this, are aware of how difficult this will be. We heard that from his very strong remarks last night. You know, we know that we're in for a different kind of war. Some people don't even like to use that phrase because it seems somehow not descriptive of what we're up against. We don't know exactly where the target is. We don't know exactly what resources we have to cut off, because it's not a state that is running and has power plans and other kinds of resources.

But I think it's an applicable term because we have to have the same mentality. Clearly, we are fighting in the shadows. We're fighting in ways that America's never been called on before.

But I feel totally confident in the outcome. I thought the president's very strong words made it clear that we will see this through.

ZAHN: How many American lives, though, might be lost in the process?

CLINTON: Paula, no one knows that. We have the best-prepared military, not only in the world, but I think in the history of the world. I know a lot of the men and women who not only lead it, but serve. It is an all-volunteer force, as you know. People join because of patriotism and desire to serve their country in this way. But they know when they sign up that there are risks. I went into Bosnia after the Dayton Peace Accords. I have been on the DMZ. I have travelled all over the world. I have been privileged to meet the men and women who wear our uniform. There isn't a better prepared group of human beings anywhere.

But they are realistic. They know when they are called upon by their commander-in-chief, they have to respond, and they do so willingly -- and I think we will see the results in the weeks ahead.

ZAHN: Before we move on to the task at hand in New York City, just one last question for you on the political front. To what extent is the former president, your husband, being consulted as military actions as military action is planned?

CLINTON: Well, you would really have to ask him directly.

ZAHN: I would love to. He won't return my phone calls.

CLINTON: Well, I will tell him that you are calling for him.

ZAHN: Is there anything you can tell us about any briefings he might have gotten?

CLINTON: I know that has spoken with people, but I don't feel it is appropriate for me to answer that question.

ZAHN: OK, we will keep on burning those phone lines to the former president.

Let's go to the delegation's trip to New York City yesterday. Clearly, your colleagues had seen the aerials of the zone, some of the closeup pictures of what is now being called the pile. What was their overwhelming reaction to seeing the site in person for the first time?

CLINTON: Well, you know, Paula, it was, as mine has been every time I have been down there, it is so emotionally draining and exhausting. At least, for me. I was down there again in the pouring rain, my colleagues were just dumbstruck. They were overwhelmed by what they saw. Even though they followed it avidly -- they certainly watched the television and read everything they could -- they weren't prepared for this massive destruction that we viewed. And many of them thanked me and my colleague, Senator Schumer, for urging them to come. I made a lot of phone calls, asking people personally to come and see what happened in the heart of our country, in New York City.

And it was a draining, difficult day. I got back on the train after we went to New Jersey, to visit with people who have heroically rallied to help on the site and to provide housing in those first hours after the crisis, sending their own police and fire across the river. I think all of us were just worn out, emotionally drained. And many have come up to me again today, and told me they could not have imagined it, unless they saw it for themselves.

ZAHN: But unfortunately, in New York City, you not only have people dealing with the trauma that has been dealt them and their families, you now this ripple effect in the economy, with hotels, in some cases, being almost empty. I know the mayor, while you were in transit this morning, was encouraging people to come to New York City and spend, spend, spend. What are your concerns about the economy?

CLINTON: I think we all share the concern that, number one, we have suffered some real economic damage. We've lost some of our ability to generate jobs, and people have been rendered without incomes. We have suffered a direct economic impact from this.

But the ripple effect is especially troubling. I just came from a meeting where we discussed what we were going to do to try to encourage people to start flying again. We are going to beef up security. We are going to provide some help to the airlines because that will have a very positive effect on tourism, on rental cars, on so many of the businesses that rely upon our normal everyday travel.

It is going to take us awhile to work our way through this. But, you know, our economy is to big. It is so strong. We just have to do what the president said last night: rebuild New York, tend to the normal everyday business that each of us has to now get back to doing, start living our lives.

We can't let these terrible attacks render us a fearful nation. And fearful people cannot defeat a very resolute enemy. We need that American confidence and optimism, and that includes getting out again; traveling again; being with our family, our friends, our loved ones. If we do that, we are going to get out of this economic difficulty faster than if we basically withdraw from the normal everyday life we should be leading.

ZAHN: As always, Senator Clinton, great to see you, and we really appreciate your dropping by, because we know just about every single minute of your day is micromanaged. Again, thanks for your perspective this morning.

CLINTON: Thank you, Paula.

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