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American Morning
America's New War: President Tries to Arrange International Coalition to Fight Terrorism
Aired September 18, 2001 - 10:38 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.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: As we listen to those reports from Islamabad and Christiane Amanpour and from Afghanistan and Nic Robertson, they are but two pieces of a very delicate diplomatic dance as the president and his administration try to arrange international coalition to fight terrorism, a time of testing not only to the president of the United States, but also for a general turned diplomat.
For more on the diplomatic maneuvering, we are joined now by our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, because this is going to be a war that is one literally without boundaries, one is that will be fought around the world in countries wherever there are terrorist. The kind of coalition that Secretary of State Powell is hard at work trying to assemble, very different one from the one we saw during the Gulf War, a much broader one, and that is why Secretary Powell has the world on speed dial.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL (voice-over): With the Bush administration's diplomatic campaign now in high gear, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the international coalition against terrorism is coming together.
COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Some of it is rhetorical in nature, and they really don't have much else to give us, other than words of support and encouragement. Others, it is far more than that, to the point of if you have to do something militarily, ask us if we can participate.
KOPPEL: At the heart of this diplomatic puzzle is Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network have safe haven, and for that reason, administration officials say, the U.S. is focusing on several key pieces, Pakistan, Central Asia, Russia and the Arab world. The diplomatic sources tell CNN, Pakistan's president sent a delegation to deliver a letter to Afghanistan ruling Taliban militia Monday. The message: Hand over bin Laden or face U.S. military retaliation.
In Central Asia, where members of bin Laden's network radio are known to operate, the U.S. is appealing to the government to close their borders and roundup the terrorist. Experts say the country of Uzbekistan could also help in a future U.S. military operation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has led the Central Asian activity on the issue of Afghanistan, and it has the best air base in the region.
KOPPEL: That's among the reasons Powell's deputy Richard Armitage is traveling to Russia this week, to seek Moscow's help in bringing Central Asia on board, as well as advice from Moscow's 10- year war with Afghanistan.
A pivotal piece of the puzzle is the Arab world, countries like Saudi Arabia, a source not only of money to bin Laden's network, but also home to some of Islam's holiest sites. The U.S. needs the Saudis and others to explain that this is not a U.S. war against Islam, a point President Bush made clear Monday in a visit to a Washington mosque.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Islam is peace. These terrorist don't represent peace. They represent evil and war.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: And the administration will get to reinforce that message tomorrow in meetings here in Washington with the Saudi foreign minister. The U.S. is looking to the Muslim world to spread the word that the terrorist attacks last week were un-Islamic, and, John, they also want them to say that those responsible were traitors to Islam.
KING: Why, Andrea, does the administration believe so important that they get not only support from the Arab and the Muslim world, but outspoken support?
KOPPEL: There are several reasons, John. Not the least of which is the fact that Osama bin Laden, his followers and the Taliban in Afghanistan espouse a very strict form of Islam. They and others want to present this is the United States being un-Islamic and trying to attack them simply because of their religion. So if you get the Muslim world on your side, countries like Saudi Arabia and others, they can help to punch a hole in that argument.
In addition, a lot of the money, a lot of the financing for bin Laden's network comes from the Muslim world. And a number of the terrorist cells are linked to bin Laden's network. So if you can shutdown the networks, you can help to do that with the Muslim world on your side -- John.
Andrea Koppel at the State Department. Thank you very much.
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