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CNN Live Event/Special

Target: Terrorism - Rumsfeld Trip to Strengthen Old Alliances and Forge a New One

Aired October 03, 2001 - 06:03   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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now we want to focus on Secretary of Defense's Donald Rumsfeld's trip, its meaning, the timing of it and what it might mean for timing of those strikes.

Brian Cabell at the Pentagon this morning -- hi, Brian.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Secretary Rumsfeld hopes to strengthen some old alliances and forge a new one. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt -- and Uzbekistan, the new alliance.

Saudi Arabia, he says, will be a silent partner this time if there is any military action. In Egypt there are American military exercises taking place. He hopes to visit troops there. In Uzbekistan he says it is still an open question as to whether American troops and planes will be allowed to be based there across the border from Afghanistan.

He left last night from the Washington, D.C. area on a three to four day trip. This, in advance of a possible military strike against Osama bin Laden. As for further evidence against bin Laden, he said it's not necessary. There is no more needed there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: The attacks on the United States, the evidence is so clear. It's been on television the damage that was done. The relationships among terrorists and terrorist networks are abundantly clear. There is no need for additional evidence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABELL: The military buildup along -- outside of Afghanistan continues in the meantime. Two aircraft carrier groups are out there already, two more are on the way, 30,000 troops -- American troops are poised, along with about 300 warplanes.

Now Rumsfeld last night was asked about specific movements by specific units in the military. He refused to answer those questions -- Carol. LIN: Brian, is Secretary Rumsfeld armed with only a moral argument in this war against terrorism or is he authorized to make deals with the leaders of these countries in order to get their cooperation?

CABELL: They aren't telling us that specifically, but we certainly get the sense that he is authorized to make some sort of deals, especially with Uzbekistan.

LIN: Especially with Uzbekistan and a specific timetable is what Uzbekistan is looking for. How long are you going to be here? What resources -- how can you guarantee us that this is not going to be an extended battle that's going to spread through the Middle East?

CABELL: I think there are no guarantees. He can't give any guarantees in that sense. All he can do is go there and tell them what needs to be done. So far there has been an indication that Uzbekistan does want to cooperate in this effort against Osama bin Laden.

LIN: All right, we'll see what comes out of these meetings. Thank you very much. Brian Cabell reporting live from the Pentagon.

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