Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Bush in Africa

Aired July 10, 2003 - 10:17   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.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's visit to the African continent led him to Botswana today, and he came bearing gifts. Mr. Bush arrived in the nation battling the world's highest HIV rate, talking up a $15 billion plan to combat AIDS.
CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president, and she joins us now from the city of Gabarone.

Hello, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Leon. It really is a whirlwind trip for the president, just six hours on the ground inside Botswana. He is here to promote his trade, as well and AIDS initiatives. He earlier met with the president of Botswana, as well as some business leaders. And earlier in the day, he was greeted warmly at the airport by crowds singing and dancing.

Now, it's seen as a big success story here. Botswana, in Africa, has the world's largest producer of diamonds as well as the fastest growth rate around the globe.

But, of course, what is really ravaging the population in Botswana is the AIDS problem. The United Nations says that Botswana has the highest rate of the virus that causes AIDS, some 40 percent of the population. The life expectancy here is 35 to 39 years old. Now, they have a unique program here that is really a partnership with the government, as well as the Gates Foundation and a drug company, trying to provide free aids drugs for all of the citizens who are infected. It is just really gotten under way. President Bush here in part is to highlight his own AIDS initiative, a $15 billion, five-year package.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Botswana, as a result of the president's leadership, has really been on the forefront of dealing with this serious problem, by first and foremost admitting that there is a problem, and then by working to put a strategy in place to prevent and treat and provide help for those who suffer. And, Mr. President, the United States of America stands squarely with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

BUSH: You, your health minister and your administration, to help put together a strategy that will save lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP) MALVEAUX: The president not only outlining some of those business as well as AIDS initiatives, but also taking some time to show how this country is involved in wildlife conservation. The president going to a nature reserve. He was there just moments ago. You're watching fresh pictures here. It is a place where they pick up orphaned elephants, problem cheetahs, as well as other endangered wildlife. They bring them here where they feed them.

It is not necessarily the wild kingdom when you think of Africa, but it certainly is a good demonstration of how this country is conserving and preserving its own wildlife.

I should also let you know, Leon, later the president will be returning to Pretoria, South Africa, and then he's going to traveling on to Uganda and Nigeria. Now these are two states that are critical, that are vital when it comes to U.S. interests in fighting the war on terror, as well as expanding the oil market -- Leon.

HARRIS: Suzanne, I hear Iraq also came up today. What did Mr. Bush have to say about that? Anything about the soldiers killed yesterday, or what?

MALVEAUX: You know, during the whole trip, he's really been dogged with some of those questions just concerning Iraq and the fate of Saddam Hussein. He was asked about that. As you know, two U.S. soldiers died today. And the president responded by saying, there is no question that we have a security issue in Iraq. He says, we're going to just have to deal with it person by person. We're going to have to remain tough, but the president also saying that he was optimistic that he believes that the forces were up to the job and that, of course, the Iraqi people also had to be responsible in being hopeful and protecting their community -- Leon.

HARRIS: Suzanne, before you go, I have to ask you this, what is that smoke coming from behind you? Is everything OK there, or what?

MALVEAUX: You know, it's not a bonfire. You would think it's part of it. It's a generator keeping us, basically, up for the day, and a lot of technical problems, but yes, it's what allows us to be here in front you.

HARRIS: All right, just want to make sure you're okay. Suzanne Malveaux, safe travels, and get out of that smoke. We'll see you soon. Suzanne Malveaux, traveling with President Bush in Botswana.

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






Aired July 10, 2003 - 10:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's visit to the African continent led him to Botswana today, and he came bearing gifts. Mr. Bush arrived in the nation battling the world's highest HIV rate, talking up a $15 billion plan to combat AIDS.
CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president, and she joins us now from the city of Gabarone.

Hello, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Leon. It really is a whirlwind trip for the president, just six hours on the ground inside Botswana. He is here to promote his trade, as well and AIDS initiatives. He earlier met with the president of Botswana, as well as some business leaders. And earlier in the day, he was greeted warmly at the airport by crowds singing and dancing.

Now, it's seen as a big success story here. Botswana, in Africa, has the world's largest producer of diamonds as well as the fastest growth rate around the globe.

But, of course, what is really ravaging the population in Botswana is the AIDS problem. The United Nations says that Botswana has the highest rate of the virus that causes AIDS, some 40 percent of the population. The life expectancy here is 35 to 39 years old. Now, they have a unique program here that is really a partnership with the government, as well as the Gates Foundation and a drug company, trying to provide free aids drugs for all of the citizens who are infected. It is just really gotten under way. President Bush here in part is to highlight his own AIDS initiative, a $15 billion, five-year package.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Botswana, as a result of the president's leadership, has really been on the forefront of dealing with this serious problem, by first and foremost admitting that there is a problem, and then by working to put a strategy in place to prevent and treat and provide help for those who suffer. And, Mr. President, the United States of America stands squarely with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

BUSH: You, your health minister and your administration, to help put together a strategy that will save lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP) MALVEAUX: The president not only outlining some of those business as well as AIDS initiatives, but also taking some time to show how this country is involved in wildlife conservation. The president going to a nature reserve. He was there just moments ago. You're watching fresh pictures here. It is a place where they pick up orphaned elephants, problem cheetahs, as well as other endangered wildlife. They bring them here where they feed them.

It is not necessarily the wild kingdom when you think of Africa, but it certainly is a good demonstration of how this country is conserving and preserving its own wildlife.

I should also let you know, Leon, later the president will be returning to Pretoria, South Africa, and then he's going to traveling on to Uganda and Nigeria. Now these are two states that are critical, that are vital when it comes to U.S. interests in fighting the war on terror, as well as expanding the oil market -- Leon.

HARRIS: Suzanne, I hear Iraq also came up today. What did Mr. Bush have to say about that? Anything about the soldiers killed yesterday, or what?

MALVEAUX: You know, during the whole trip, he's really been dogged with some of those questions just concerning Iraq and the fate of Saddam Hussein. He was asked about that. As you know, two U.S. soldiers died today. And the president responded by saying, there is no question that we have a security issue in Iraq. He says, we're going to just have to deal with it person by person. We're going to have to remain tough, but the president also saying that he was optimistic that he believes that the forces were up to the job and that, of course, the Iraqi people also had to be responsible in being hopeful and protecting their community -- Leon.

HARRIS: Suzanne, before you go, I have to ask you this, what is that smoke coming from behind you? Is everything OK there, or what?

MALVEAUX: You know, it's not a bonfire. You would think it's part of it. It's a generator keeping us, basically, up for the day, and a lot of technical problems, but yes, it's what allows us to be here in front you.

HARRIS: All right, just want to make sure you're okay. Suzanne Malveaux, safe travels, and get out of that smoke. We'll see you soon. Suzanne Malveaux, traveling with President Bush in Botswana.

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