Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Bush Condemns Attacks, Vows to Focus on Peace

Aired July 31, 2002 - 12:16   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: From the White House again, we are hearing words of condemnation. But this latest attack in the Middle East is just one issue occupying the president's time.

CNN White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, joins us with all of the issues at hand.

Hi -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

The administration making it very clear this morning that they will not allow these series of suicide bombings to get in the way of progress in the Middle East peace process. The president emerged from his meeting with Cabinet members just moments ago, condemning in the strongest words possible this latest attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack that took place in Israel. There are clearly killers who hate the thought of peace, and therefore, are willing to take their hatred to all kinds of places, including a university. And this country condemns that kind of killing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, Kyra, the White House is saying it will not allow this latest attack to deter it from a meeting between the president and King Abdullah of Jordan, which will happen tomorrow. Among the topics that they will be discussing is restructuring the Palestinian Security Forces, providing some humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people, as well as trying to form a new constitution for the Palestinian people.

And they say that they will continue these talks, that this type of activity, these attacks, will not deter them from moving forward.

Now, the president also, in talking with his Cabinet members, dealt with a lot of other issues, basically the economy being the strong one. Some numbers that really shocked and worried some folks, 1.1 percent growth for the second quarter. The president addressing that saying that while he acknowledged that the growth isn't strong enough, this administration has been trying to emphasize the positive economic indicators, low inflation, low interest rates, hoping to boost confidence again in Americans to get back into the markets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I feel strongly that the -- that having -- now it turns out having been through three quarters of negative growth, when I first came into office, we have had three quarters of positive growth, and I think that's the right trend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And the president also took this opportunity to promote his trade promotion authority. He is really trying to push forward some legislation, hoping that the Senate will pass his legislation before they go on recess by the end of the week. He talked about trade promotion authority, terrorism insurance. He also mentioned as well the need for the permanent tax cuts, all of these things he will be talking with Republicans later today.

Several different meetings, he has a full schedule on his plate today -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: No doubt. Suzanne Malveaux live from the White House -- thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.