Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

What's on Tap for D.C. Today?

Aired August 27, 2002 - 06:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A familiar face during the Gulf War will be at the western White House today. So what's on the agenda between the Saudi prince and our own American president?
The man in the know is just about to head to CNN's Washington bureau. As always at this time, deputy bureau chief, Steve Redisch, is on the line.

So what will the prince say to Mr. Bush -- Steve?

STEVE REDISCH, CNN WASHINGTON DEPUTY BUREAU CHIEF: That's anybody's guess. The visit is said to be, not because of strains in the Saudi relationship, but because of strengths in the Saudi-U.S. relationship.

As you said, he was a familiar face during the run-up and during the Gulf -- during the run-up to the Gulf War and throughout the Gulf War. But Prince Bandar's visit is certain to be met with some criticism from outside the White House and outside the administration, as there are many voices now who are saying -- or are questioning whether the Saudis are really the U.S. friends.

COSTELLO: But the United States does need Saudi Arabia, if it does decide to go to war with Iraq.

REDISCH: It would appear to on the surface, because of the proximity of air bases to Iraq, and the U.S. used them during the Gulf War. And one would believe that the U.S. would want to use them again if they need to attack Iraq.

COSTELLO: Got you.

We're also expecting SAT results from the College Board. Can you tell us about that?

REDISCH: It's certainly timely, as people are going back to school, at least here in the northeast. Did you know that -- well, of course, you knew that down in the south, people have already been back to school for about three weeks. But they'll look at the 10-year trend today. They'll also give us a look at how minorities are doing, and they will tell you that women are doing better at math.

COSTELLO: Oh, good!

REDISCH: How much better? We're not sure, but we'll find out later.

COSTELLO: Oh, that will be very interesting.

A 9/11 quilt, what is this thing about?

REDISCH: Women in the Transportation Department were moved by the events on 9/11, particularly at the Pentagon, and they built a quilt. It's about 9 by 12 feet. And they knitted it and sewed it together, and they are going to present it to the Pentagon today. These are the Department of Transportation people, and it's basically to commemorate the women who died at the Pentagon.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's awesome.

Also, we understand that Washington is actually a finalist for the 2012 Olympics.

REDISCH: One of four final cities here in the U.S., and they're going to narrow those -- I'm sorry -- one of four final cities, and they're going to narrow the four down to two today. Houston, San Francisco and New York and Washington, D.C. are in the running to be the U.S. Olympic Committee's choice to, then, run against a whole bunch of international cities for the 2012 Olympics.

COSTELLO: Exciting. OK, Steve Redisch, we're going to let you get to work. Thank you for joining us. We'll talk to you again tomorrow.

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