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CNN Live Event/Special
America's New War: Bush Delivers Pep Talk to CIA
Aired September 26, 2001 - 14:22 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.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Today President Bush traveled to the CIA here in the Virginia suburbs of Washington to thank CIA employees and to urge them on in their efforts. CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joining me now. Kelly, I don't think there is any agency, at least in this city, that is more in need of bucking up right now.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're absolutely right. And that's what President Bush was trying to do, a little bit of a morale booster there for the employees who are working very, very long hours at an agency which, as you know, has come under some heavy criticism since the September 11 attacks went undetected by the CIA.
You see the president getting a very warm reception there. In fact today, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Richard Shelby, the first public criticism of CIA director George Tenet, saying that the agency has really gotten away from Mr. Tenet.
Mr. Bush having a very different message there, saying he has got a lot of confidence in Tenet and a lot of confidence in the CIA and then he said the CIA would be vital to win what he calls this war against terrorism. He said this enemy likes to hide and he once again delivered a very strong threat against any individuals or groups that associate with terrorists.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you harbor a terrorist, you are just as guilty as the terrorist. If you provide safe haven to a terrorist, you are just as guilty as a terrorist. If you fund a terrorist, you are just as guilty as a terrorist. And in order to make sure that we're able to conduct a winning victory we have got to have the best intelligence we can possibly have. And my report to the nation is, we have got the best intelligence we can possibly have thanks to the men and the women of the CIA.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And in another interesting development, we know Russia on Tuesday said it would support the U.S. military using military bases in the former Soviet republics in Central Asia for any retaliatory attack.
Today, some developments when comes to Chechnya. The United States has been very critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin for using excessive force against Chechen rebels believed to be trying to free themselves from Russia.
Today, the administration backing a new initiative put forward by President Putin. President Putin calling on the Chechen rebels to immediately and unconditionally break any tie with any international terrorist groups and Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, saying a short time ago that the U.S. definitely believes there's some association between Chechnya and the man the administration considers the prime suspect in this September 11 attacks, Osama bin Laden.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: There's no question that there's an international terrorist presence in Chechnya that has links to Osama bin Laden. And that's why I indicated what I indicated. That, also is a point of view that was shared with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and in I believe it was November of 1999, by an official from the Clinton State Department when he testified before Senate Foreign Relations. So that has long been known. In fact it has been referenced in the pattern of global terrorism report.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: But really, prior to today, the administration has shown a bit more sympathy to the Chechen rebels, even sometimes calling them freedom fighters. So, Judy, when reporters asked of there was any deal here, the U.S. taking a softer stance on Chechnya in exchange for Russia's cooperation. Ari Fleischer saying absolutely not, no change in emphasis, no change in policy. But you can see how this is all having ramifications in other parts of the world -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: Indeed, Kelly Wallace. When I listened to Ari Fleischer taking that question, he sounded very much prepared for it as if he had expected the reporters to cover who cover the White House to ask him about that.
Kelly Wallace, thanks very much.
Still to come, we are going to take you up for a rare sky-high view from the cockpit of a jet refueler as one National Guard unit gets ready for duty.
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