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CNN Live Today

Bush Addresses Middle East in Speech

Aired March 21, 2002 - 14:36   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: To the president now, traveling along the U.S./Mexican border. He talked about the Middle East situation in a speech you saw last hour here, live on CNN. To El Paso, traveling with the president, here's Kelly Wallace right now.

I understand there has been some contact, too, with Yasser Arafat, Kelly. What's happening?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in fact calling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from Air Force 1, as the secretary and the president and others made their way here to El Paso, Texas. The president coming here to focus on ways the U.S. and Mexico are working together to enhance border security.

But clearly, the president reacting to news events. The administration, Bill, increasingly frustrated with the Palestinian leader. as you said, the president, during a speech here to a crowd, a very happy crowd to see Mr. Bush here in El Paso, the president talking about another suicide bombing on this day in Israel.

The president using his speech once again to put pressure on the Palestinian leader. Mr. Bush making it clear he does not think Mr. Arafat is simply doing enough to crack down on terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Arafat must do more to stop the violence in the Middle East.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

BUSH: And I want to assure you all, the secretary of state and I will remind leaders of their obligation to defend innocent people. Of their obligation to stamp out terrorists wherever they light. Of their obligation to make sure they uphold this doctrine: If you harbor a terrorist, if you hide a terrorist, if you feed a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: So, strong words from President Bush. But again, more frustration for the White House, with General Zinni in the region and with the vice president himself saying again on this day that he was willing to meet with Mr. Arafat almost immediately, if Mr. Arafat implements a cease-fire.

And, Bill, the president also reacting to another news event, those car bombings in Peru. The president was asked about this earlier on this day, asked about the bombings, asked if he is going to make any change in his plans. Of course, he goes to Peru on Saturday. The president using very tough talk to say that his trip will go on as scheduled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I'm still going. I'm sure President Toledo will do everything he can to make Lima safe for our trip. You know, two-bit terrorists aren't going to prevent me from doing what we need to do, and that is to promote our friendship in the hemisphere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And, Bill, you know the president saying there, the administration has an idea of who might be responsible for those car bombings. Senior administration officials saying a leading contender, the Shining Path guerrilla movement, a group formed in the '60s, very active in the '80s and '90s. He's definitely concerned that this group getting more active again. Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Kelly, thank you. Kelly Wallace, traveling with the president there in El Paso. Again, that trip will take Kelly to three other countries over the next four days, and concluding there on Sunday in El Salvador.

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