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CNN Live Today

Bush Remembers Lost Lives of 9/11

Aired March 11, 2002 - 14:12   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: At a White House memorial, President Bush turned his attention to the international fight against terrorism and the lessons of September 11. For more on that, back to the White House and Kelly Wallace now on the front lawn. Good afternoon, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill. A couple of goals for today's event. The president certainly remembering those who lost their lives. Also, though, looking forward, really pledging the resolve of the global community in what he is now calling the second stage of this war on terror.

There was lots of symbolism on hand at the South Lawn. You saw more than 170 flags there. That to show, again, the world unity in this fight against terrorism. Ambassadors from South Korea, Nigeria, and Turkey introducing the president, countries that could be important as the campaign moves beyond Afghanistan.

And a main theme of the president's speech, the president saying there must be a sustained campaign to deny terrorist sanctuary, deny them any safe haven. Mr. Bush saying even denying them a safe place to sleep.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've set a clear policy in the second stage of the war on terror. America encourages and expects governments everywhere to help remove the terrorist parasites that threaten their own countries and peace of the world.

If governments need training or resources to meet this commitment, America will help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the president talking in great detail about help that is already under way in the Philippines and help that will be going to the former Soviet Republic of Georgia as well as Yemen. He also talked about his concern of weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Bush didn't mention that infamous phrase now, "axis of evil," countries such as Iran, Iraq and North Korea that Mr. Bush believes are pursuing weapons of mass destruction.

But he said every nation around the world must be concerned about terror of what he called a catastrophic scale. Mr. Bush saying inaction will not be acceptable. We know, of course, Vice President Cheney in the midst of 12-nation tour in part to talk with U.S. allies about how to deal with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

And Bill, on this day, as we all sort of reflect where we were on that really horrific day, we certainly know where the president was. He was in Florida, really a routine trip to talk about education. That trip turned into anything but routine after that moment when Andrew Card his chief of staff whispered in ear that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center.

Andrew Card saying that America now under attack. After that, as we know, the president first going to Louisiana, then Nebraska, coming back to Washington on the evening of September 11. Fair to say then after that, Bill, the mission of this White House and the president turning into a war on terror, a mission they really could never have anticipated.

HEMMER: No question about that. Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace at the White House.

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