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CNN Live Today
White House Responds to Philippine Dead
Aired June 07, 2002 - 10:09 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Many people all around the world have waited to learn of the fate of the Burnhams, and that includes the White House. And there is reaction of the event in the Philippines.
And for more on that, let's go to our Kelly Wallace -- Kelly, hello.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.
You hear the sound of a helicopter overhead. President Bush at this very moment is en route to Andrews Air Force Base, making a day trip to Iowa to talk about his new Homeland Security proposal, which we'll talk about in a minute, as well as the anniversary of last year's package of the tax cuts, but lots of concern here at the White House.
President Bush, in fact, spoke to reporters just a little bit more than an hour ago. He said how sad he was to learn that Martin Burnham lost his life. He said that he would be calling the Burnhams' parents. We expect that he most likely made that call before leaving the White House. He said though he was pleased that Gracia Burnham was still alive.
But then he said that the fight against terror and the fight against this group, Abu Sayyaf, would continue. The president said he spoke with his counterpart in the Philippines, President Arroyo. Here is a little more of what the president said earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I talked to President Arroyo of the Philippines. She told me that she had called the Burnham parents, and I thanked her for reaching out. She assured me that the Philippine government would hold the terrorist group accountable for how they treated these Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And at this point, it does not appear that any U.S. troops were involved in this rescue attempt, what appears to be a rescue attempt. As we know, though, U.S. troops certainly have been in the Philippines as part of this war on terrorism, helping troops there fight against this group, Abu Sayyaf. And moving from that tragedy to another issue certainly on the president's mind today, he is selling up his idea. The president, during that meeting with lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, trying to get them to support what he is calling a new Cabinet-level agency, the Department of Homeland Security. The president saying it will be an uphill battle. Certainly, members of Congress not likely to give up some of their turf, but he said he is moving forward. This is what the president said a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: We have got a lot of work to do to get this department implemented. There is going to be a lot of turf protection in the Congress. But I am convinced that by working together, that we can do what's right for America, and I believe we can get something done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And one headline that really came out of that session, the president said that he would have Tom Ridge, currently director of the Office of Homeland Security, testify on Capitol Hill to push Congress to pass this plan this year. The significance here, Mr. Bush has prevented Tom Ridge from testifying, saying he is an informal adviser, he should not have to go before Congress -- Tom Ridge coming out and telling reporters he would go before Congress, but only in the sense of trying to sell this plan.
So another change here by the White House and another indication, Daryn, that, Tom Ridge does -- does appear to be the leading candidate to be the new head of this agency -- Daryn.
KAGAN: But Kelly, is it a slight that when the president made -- that when the president made the announcement of this new Cabinet- level position, that in the very next sentence, shouldn't it have been, And my man for the job is Tom Ridge?
WALLACE: Well, you know, that is a good question. Some people were saying that that was not in the president's address last night. And even Tom Ridge himself, he has been asked about it quite a bit, and he has been a little cagey, kind of not answering the question: Even if the president offered you the job, would you want it?
So he is being the point person. He is going to be out there as the salesperson. And the wink and the nod we are getting is he is likely to be the leading candidate, but you might get the sense that maybe the White House wants to see how it shakes out, wants to see what the reaction is on Capitol Hill and want to make further decisions from there -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Well, however it plays, if it goes through, it is going to be a huge job for whoever ends up getting that position.
Kelly Wallace, in front of the White House, thank you so much.
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