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American Morning

America Under Attack: President Bush Meets with National Security Team

Aired September 12, 2001 - 10:46   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: Let's stay in Washington while we have that picture up and check in with our Kelly Wallace, who is standing by at the White House, where, as we understand it, President Bush is involved in some meetings right now with his cabinet and security officials, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Leon, the president meeting with his national security team; that includes Secretary of State Colin Powell, his national security adviser, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, CIA Director George Tenent, as well as others.

That meeting began at 9:30. It's expected to end just moments from now, at which point we will hear from President Bush. It will be the first time we are hearing from him since last night when he went before the nation. This to be the president's -- getting his up-to- date briefing on the latest on the investigation, as well as the search-and-rescue efforts.

Two goals, really, for administration, Leon, today: One, to show that the U.S. government is doing everything it can to help with recovery efforts in New York, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon; and that investigative teams are deployed to places like Boston and San Francisco and L.A., again, to do everything possible to find those responsible.

Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary, talking to reporters a short time ago, not commenting, as U.S. officials have not been doing so far publicly, about this investigation, just saying that the full resources of the U.S. government involved here.

We did get, though, Leon, a little bit more about the president's involvement. He was in the Oval Office at 7:05 this morning and he reached out to a couple of world leaders, calling Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Ari Fleischer saying those leaders express the resolve to stand united against terrorism.

And interestingly, I think we're just about to hear from President Bush now, Leon. So let's go to that if that is about underway.

OK, sorry, misinformation. Anyway, Leon, back to you. I know the president calling yesterday his father, former President George W. Bush, aboard Air Force One, an interesting conversation. And also reaching out to solicitor General (ph) Ted Olson, who, as we reported, lost his wife in one of those crashes yesterday.

Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: Yes, terrible situation there. And as we understand it his wife was able to make a cell phone call from that plane as well.

Thanks, Kelly, we'll get back to you once we do hear word from Mr. Bush.

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