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American Morning

America's New War: Lots on Bush's Plate Today

Aired September 27, 2001 - 10:02   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: A lot on the president's plate today: militarily, diplomatically, this new proposal for airline security.

So we want to bring in Kelly.

And, Kelly, let's start with priority number one, the president on his way to Chicago trying to convince the American people the skies are safe again.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, John, trying to send that message, get people more comfortable to get on airlines and, again, give a boost to an industry that has definitely been struggling.

We saw the president live on our air taking off for Chicago aboard Air Force One a short time ago. Joining him aboard Air Force One, a couple members of Congress, the House Democratic leader, Dick Gephardt, and also Republican congressman Henry Hyde.

John, we know the president is talking about a series of measures. He's also talking about some stuff he can do right away. He's announcing that he's going to call on the governors of all 50 states to call up the National Guard to have a more or a bigger military presence at airports all around the country. This again, to send a very visible sign that security is much tighter.

Then of course, he's going to be unveiling a number of proposals. Those proposals include a greater federal role for airport security screening, federal standards, federal training, federal oversight. Also the president wanting to see air marshals, armed air marshals on most flights around the country. And then number three, $500 million he'll be asking Congress for to make stronger and more secure cockpit doors, again, to try and prevent anyone from one part of the plane from going into the cockpit.

So those are the measures the president will be announcing.

And, John, he also -- I talked to an administration official, he also will be talking about what he is doing to help the airline industry, how he and Congress worked on that $15 billion measure, and how he and lawmakers are working together to come up with some plan to help not just airline employees but lots of other employees who now find themselves out of a job -- John. KING: And, Kelly, probably not an issue the administration would prefer to be discussed in public today, but even as the president tries to reassure the American people it is safe to fly again and it will be safer with these new steps. Still in place some directive to the military just in case any event there are hijackings in the future?

WALLACE: Exactly. And you're right, the administration probably not liking the timing of this story, but CNN definitely confirming that President Bush has authorized mid level generals to go ahead and authorize the shoot down of commercial airliners only though under extraordinary circumstances. The extraordinary circumstances are as a last resort. Every step would be taken to get in touch with the president, but if distance, time, location, if the stakes are so high that a decision needed to be made without getting in touch with the president, then such a decision could be made by mid level generals. I'm told by an administration source again, this would be action that would be an absolute last resort, but again, sending a message that we are clearly in a new world order right now -- John.

KING: And, Kelly, lastly, in his speech to the Congress, the president said bluntly that the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan should turn over Osama bin Laden, no negotiations, no discussions, the president said. But now on the table an apparent offer by the Taliban to meet with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, some diplomatic initiative. Bring us up to date on the latest on that front.

WALLACE: Absolutely. And we saw Reverend Jackson on our air earlier today, an invitation coming from the ruling Taliban militia to come to Afghanistan and meet with him. As you have been reporting, the administration while sort of publicly saying that this is a personal decision for Reverend Jackson to make, at the same time the administration making it very, very clear that now is not the time for words, it is a time for action, it's not the time to negotiation. Although, Reverend Jackson, we did see telling CNN earlier, he thinks if he can possibly do good, then perhaps he should go. Here is what he said earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSE JACKSON, RAINBOW PUSH COALITION: If by chance the cause of the government, the government stand off, that nothing is happening, and they have made this move toward looking for what they call "a move for a resolution with dignity," if we can help bridge that gap with the right credible delegation, we ought to do that. Today, I'm going to call the former president, Jimmy Carter, I'm going to call Kofi Annan and other credible leaders to try to weigh the worth of their words. If the mission is much too dangerous and delicate to take without some understanding that it would result in moving us away from imminent war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But, John, what the administration saying, it is Jackson's decision to make. It is clear the message from the White House: Now is not the time for negotiations, there will be no negotiations. The administration is saying it has made it's demands very clear and now it is time for the Taliban to adhere to those demands -- John.

KING: Thank you, Kelly Wallace at the White House.

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