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CNN Live Saturday

Bush to Name Specific, Targeted Terrorists

Aired September 22, 2001 - 16:31   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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush meanwhile is working this weekend at Camp David where he met with his national security advisers. He also spoke by phone with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Hagerstown, Maryland -- that's near Camp David.

Kelly, first of all, I understand the president took some specific steps today in his war against terrorism?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: He certainly did, Wolf. Basically on the financial side -- or as he is expected to do so he is going to as early as this weekend we understand sign an executive order, which will basically name specific terrorists and specific terrorist organizations and freeze their U.S. assets.

Now we do expect this list to include al Qaeda. That is the loosely affiliated group of terrorist organizations spearheaded by Osama bin Laden. And he, of course, is the man the administration has pointed to as a prime suspect behind the deadly terrorist attacks. So we expect the president to do that.

We also, Wolf, have some diplomatic progress here -- the administration quite pleased to hear Turkey pledging some public support allowing U.S. aircraft to use Turkish air space and Turkish bases for any retaliatory attacks that the U.S. might engage in.

And, Wolf, as you noted, the president working the phones. He had a very lengthy call with Russian president Vladimir Putin. We understand they spoke for about 45 minutes to an hour -- this their third telephone conversation since the attacks on September 11. White House aides says this is an example of the ongoing dialog between the U.S. and Russia to have cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

White House officials not giving us specific but we do know the U.S. looking to get from Russia intelligence -- any intelligence the country might have about bin Laden and his network and also to tap into that country's experience in its own 10 year conflict in Afghanistan.

Now one other issue that certainly the White House focusing very closely on -- the ailing economy. President Bush taking to his radio address today focusing on this issue. The president saying that the deadly terrorist attacks definitely had an impact on the U.S. economy but Mr. Bush saying he's optimistic about the weeks, months and years ahead.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our economy has had a shock. Many workers lost their jobs this week especially in the airline and hospitality industries and restaurants and in tourism as companies struggle to remain afloat. I applaud those companies who are making extra efforts to avoid laying off workers even during difficult times.

Many Americans have also seen the value of their stocks decline yet for all these challenges the American economy is fundamentally strong.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: And Mr. Bush saying in that radio address that he and democrats and republicans working together to strengthen the economy. Wolf, Mr. Bush expected to sign very, very soon that $15 billion measure to help the struggling airline industry.

There is also talk of some economic stimulus package -- maybe increased government spending -- more tax cuts although, Wolf, the word from Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan is for law makers and White House officials to wait a bit to see exactly where the economy is a couple of weeks from now before putting together any package. Wolf?

BLITZER: Kelly, as you know, flags have been flying at half staff here in the United States since the tragic terrorist attack. The president is planning something unusual tomorrow when the flags go up to full staff. Tell us about that.

WALLACE: Absolutely, Wolf -- likely to be a very powerful moment. The president will be joined by members of the U.S. Marine Corps at the presidential retreat at Camp David for a ceremony at which point he will have all federal buildings -- flags now at half staff -- he will raise the flag to full staff.

And, Wolf, this is part of the administration's message to try to get Americans to kind of get back to their lives -- get back to some sense of normalcy while the administration's military, diplomatic and economic campaign against terrorism continues.

And, Wolf, we expect the president to be meeting with the leaders of Canada and Japan this week and also possibly traveling a bit wanting to educate the American people about who the enemy is and what this campaign is all about. Wolf?

BLITZER: Kelly Wallace near Camp David in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. Thanks once again for your report.

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