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CNN Live At Daybreak
Possible High Level Humanitarian Delegation to Iran
Aired January 02, 2004 - 05:05 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A minute ago we told you about earthquake aid and a possible high level humanitarian delegation to Iran. It would be the first official U.S. visit since the Iran hostage crisis 25 years ago.
Iran was one of several topics President Bush discussed when he met briefly with reporters in Texas.
Here's CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After bagging five quail on a New Year's Day hunting trip, President Bush took questions from reporters, ranging from U.S. relations with Iran to mad cow disease. Despite having temporarily lifted aid restrictions in Iran to help Americans provide relief for earthquake victims, Mr. Bush said more needs to be done before U.S.-Iran relations can improve.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Iranian government must listen to the voices of those who long for freedom, must turn over al Qaeda that are in their custody and must abandon their nuclear weapons program.
MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush also stressed the importance of a stable Pakistan, a nuclear power and Afghanistan's neighbor, critical to the U.S.' success against al Qaeda. Its leader, Pervez Musharraf, has survived two assassination attempts in as many weeks.
BUSH: Obviously, terrorists are after him and he sounded very confident that his security forces would be able to deal with the threat. Now, President Musharraf has been a friend of the United States. He's been a stand up guy when it comes to dealing with the terrorists.
MALVEAUX: On the domestic front, following hunting with his father and lunching with his special envoy for Iraqi debt, James Baker, Mr. Bush tried to reassure Americans mad cow disease posed no danger to the food supply.
BUSH: As a matter of fact, I ate beef today and will continue to eat beef.
MALVEAUX: As for Attorney General John Ashcroft's recusal from a sensitive leak investigation involving the White House, the president said he wasn't consulted about the decision. BUSH: He doesn't talk to me about it. He doesn't brief me on it. My only point is, is that I'd like to find out the truth as quickly as possible.
MALVEAUX: And while President Bush maintains the time for politicking for his reelection bid will come in due time, on the first day of the new year, the handshakes and baby kissing were sure signs it's close.
(on camera): By Monday, President Bush begins the first work week of the new year with a fundraiser in St. Louis, where he'll add to the $120 million already raised for his campaign.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Crawford, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 January 2, 2004 - 05:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A minute ago we told you about earthquake aid and a possible high level humanitarian delegation to Iran. It would be the first official U.S. visit since the Iran hostage crisis 25 years ago.
Iran was one of several topics President Bush discussed when he met briefly with reporters in Texas.
Here's CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After bagging five quail on a New Year's Day hunting trip, President Bush took questions from reporters, ranging from U.S. relations with Iran to mad cow disease. Despite having temporarily lifted aid restrictions in Iran to help Americans provide relief for earthquake victims, Mr. Bush said more needs to be done before U.S.-Iran relations can improve.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Iranian government must listen to the voices of those who long for freedom, must turn over al Qaeda that are in their custody and must abandon their nuclear weapons program.
MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush also stressed the importance of a stable Pakistan, a nuclear power and Afghanistan's neighbor, critical to the U.S.' success against al Qaeda. Its leader, Pervez Musharraf, has survived two assassination attempts in as many weeks.
BUSH: Obviously, terrorists are after him and he sounded very confident that his security forces would be able to deal with the threat. Now, President Musharraf has been a friend of the United States. He's been a stand up guy when it comes to dealing with the terrorists.
MALVEAUX: On the domestic front, following hunting with his father and lunching with his special envoy for Iraqi debt, James Baker, Mr. Bush tried to reassure Americans mad cow disease posed no danger to the food supply.
BUSH: As a matter of fact, I ate beef today and will continue to eat beef.
MALVEAUX: As for Attorney General John Ashcroft's recusal from a sensitive leak investigation involving the White House, the president said he wasn't consulted about the decision. BUSH: He doesn't talk to me about it. He doesn't brief me on it. My only point is, is that I'd like to find out the truth as quickly as possible.
MALVEAUX: And while President Bush maintains the time for politicking for his reelection bid will come in due time, on the first day of the new year, the handshakes and baby kissing were sure signs it's close.
(on camera): By Monday, President Bush begins the first work week of the new year with a fundraiser in St. Louis, where he'll add to the $120 million already raised for his campaign.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Crawford, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
