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CNN Saturday Morning News

Richard Armitage Discusses Coalition Building

Aired October 06, 2001 - 11:12   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, they were talking about Donald Rumsfeld and his whirlwind tour over the past three or four days. He is back in Washington now. And we go back to Washington and John King for more on this and the forming coalition from overseas -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That is right, Bill. Administration officials saying they're quite pleased with the trip of Secretary Rumsfeld. That world wind trip to the Middle East and Central Asia, as you noted, Turkey was the last stop. It was a four-day tour that took the defense secretary to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman and Uzbekistan. Rumsfeld says each country will have a different role to play as the global war on terrorism takes shape.

More diplomacy, the British prime minister, Tony Blair, met with the president of India today. Mr. Blair is on a diplomatic mission to secure international backing for the U.S. led war on terrorism. India says it will join the coalition.

Now, just yesterday, late yesterday, I touched base with the deputy secretary of state, Richard Armitage. Secretary Rumsfeld, at that point, was on his way home. Pentagon sources telling CNN enough military assets in place that if the president issues the orders, the United States would be prepared to go forward with military strikes. So I asked Undersecretary Armitage the State Department's perspective.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KING (on camera): Any diplomatic reason, in your view, that the president and -- in conjunction with the prime minister of Great Britain could not go forward from a military standpoint? Any work still to be done on the diplomatic front?

RICHARD ARMITAGE, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: Let me just point out the facts and you can draw your own conclusions. We've got many countries who have actively sought us in order to engage in military activities with us. We have over fly rights from over 26 countries and we've got basing agreements with about 21 countries right now. But when our president makes up his mind to go forward, I think there's -- we're fully ready.

KING: What is your assessment then, sir, of the threat of -- the risk of a retaliatory terrorism if you will, if the president goes forward and announces the military strike or even, just in the event of the continuing financial crackdown that you are working on around the world on the Bin Laden or other networks? There's been a great of discussion. Would Americans here in the United States or overseas, perhaps be subject to increased risk of terrorist attack? Are there specific and credible threats against Americans either here or abroad at this moment?

ARMITAGE: We know that after September 11, there were still terrorists around. We do get continuing information that their intent on causing some damage and harm to not only U.S. interest but allied interests. I think the president has been very clear. The campaign against terrorism is going to be global and it's going to be long and there's reason to expect there will be difficulties along the way.

KING: We have heard from people overseas than we have in this country about the specifics of the evidence the United States is presenting, whether it be to partners like Great Britain or partners like the NATO alliance or the government of Pakistan. The prime minister said yesterday that there was specific information that Bin Laden had organized attacks on the United States, was organizing attacks on and around September 11. Can you detail for the American people and our viewers around the world? Just specifically, what was that evidence that convinces you Bin Laden is the man here?

ARMITAGE: Well, as you know, the primary evidence was in the intelligence channels. We have briefed the U.S. Congress, both the Senate and the House. I think they find the evidence compelling and clear as well. And at some point in time, we'll come forward and make the case to the American public.

I don't think there's any doubt in the minds of any of leaders around the world with whom we've had discussions about who is responsible for these atrocities and there won't be any in the minds of the American public when we're through.

KING: But specific information was picked up from -- that the Bin Laden organization was planning a major attack on the United States in and around that period of time.

ARMITAGE: Well, we've had indications over the summer that there was something going on. That was true. It's very difficult to sort through the amount of information that the Central Intelligence Agency was getting. We knew some things were out there. We didn't know what.

KING: Richard Armitage, the Deputy Secretary of State. Thank you, sir, for your time.

ARMITAGE: Mr. King, thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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