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CNN SATURDAY
Bush Delivers Message on Terrorism to U.S. Servicemen in Alaska
Aired February 16, 2002 - 17:06 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The president is currently at Elmendorf Air Force base in Alaska, and CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has joined him. Hi there, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Fredricka. Still a little bit of a festive atmosphere here at Elmendorf Ari Force base. At this moment, in fact, President Bush on his way to do some politicking, speaking at a fund-raiser for the Republican Party here in Alaska, hoping to help his party in this year's elections.
But a short time ago, this was the scene, really, the president getting a thunderous ovation by men and women of the military here, their families and community members. This brief visit by the president a chance for Mr. Bush to give a summary of the war on terror and get a little bit of a boost as well, getting a great reception. The president saying when it comes to defending the freedom of this country, the United States will not blink.
But he also said that the war on terror will definitely move beyond Afghanistan, and then he once again talked about his concerns about countries pursuing weapons of mass destruction. He said he's very concerned about those weapons getting into the hands of terrorist groups.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Where we expected to be transparency, people who have got something to hide make us nervous, particularly those who have gassed their own citizens in the past, for example. And so, we expect them, and so do other freedom-loving countries to change their behavior. But if they do not, the United States will do what it takes to defend our freedom. Make no mistake about it.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And look for Mr. Bush to bring that message to Asia. He's visiting Japan, South Korea and China. The president, though, facing some big challenges. His comments singling out North Korea as "an axis of evil," raising concerns in South Korea that that is complicating efforts to engage the North Koreans.
The president also facing challenges when it comes to the Chinese, concerns that Chinese companies have been selling potentially dangerous weapons to people all around the world.
First stop, though, Fredricka, for the president, Tokyo. There the president will focus on that country's efforts to reform its economy. The president arriving in Tokyo in the wee hours of the morning. Back to you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Kelly, the president really used this as a cheerleading platform as well, didn't he, with military personnel there as well as their friends and family?
WALLACE: Exactly. I mean, the president -- you heard this speech -- he was getting lots of applause throughout, talking about the campaign in Afghanistan. You heard him say that this effort by the U.S. military in Afghanistan will not end until all those terrorists and those believed to be responsible for the September 11 attacks are brought to justice.
And then again taking that message a little broader, to singling out countries pursuing weapons of mass destruction. So definitely a very friendly audience, preaching to the choir. The president, though, facing big concerns overseas by some U.S. allies and countries in Asia. So he does have some bigger challenges ahead during this trip -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot, Kelly Wallace, traveling with the president.
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