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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Has Yet to Decide How to Prosecute Walker

Aired December 22, 2001 - 15:18   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: For more on the John Walker case, let's turn now to CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace, who is joining us with the very latest from the president.

What's going on Kelly?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Catherine, we can expect President Bush to likely spend some time during the holidays thinking about the fate of John Walker. White House officials continue to say that the president has not yet made a final decision about what to do and how to handle this case.

The president, in fact, left the White House earlier today, joining his family. He and his family leaving the White House and taking off for the presidential retreat at Camp David, where they will be through the Christmas holiday.

Now, senior administration officials tell CNN that the president has not yet decided whether Walker should be tried in a U.S. military or civilian court, and also what possible charges he should face. But one thing we did notice yesterday: President Bush's rhetoric much tougher yesterday. In the past, in an interview, the president referred to Walker as a, quote, "poor fellow."

But yesterday in the Oval Office the president, for first time publicly suggesting that he believes Walker was a member of the al Qaeda terrorist network.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've tasked the National Security Council to work up a strategy on how to deal with each and every person that we capture. And obviously Walker is unique in that he's the first American al Qaeda fighter that we have captured. And we will announce to the country when we have made up our mind on all -- on how to deal with a wide variety of cases.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And senior administration officials also tell CNN that federal prosecutors are continuing to look at what possible charges Walker could face. And some could, in fact, include the death penalty. Those would include treason, and also the murder of a U.S. government employee. That employee would be CIA operative Mike Spann. Mike Spann questioned Walker at the prison at Mazar-e Sharif shortly before the uprising in which Spann was killed. It's not clear what role, if any, Walker played in that uprising or in Spann's death. Lesser charges which would not involve the death penalty could include conspiracy or providing support to terrorists and terrorist organizations.

So, lots for the president to consider, Catherine. Again, no final decision just yet -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: But Kelly, is there any indication from the White House on a timetable on when the president will make a decision concerning Walker?

WALLACE: You know, that is a question we keep asking senior administration officials. We do not believe we can get a -- expect a decision next week. Likely beyond that, not clear exactly when. One thing the president did say yesterday, Catherine; he said he wants to take his time with this case because he believes this case will certainly set a future precedent for any other cases that come down his way and his National Security Council advisers' way. So that is why he's trying to take his time to decide Walker's case. And also to decide how to handle any other al Qaeda fighters -- foreign fighters that are currently in U.S. custody.

CALLAWAY: A lot of decisions to be made. Kelly Wallace at the White House. Happy holidays to you, Kelly.

WALLACE: Happy holidays to you, too.

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