Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Target: Terrorism - Bush Meets Vicente Fox to Discuss Coalition Against Terrorism and Announces $320 Million in Aid to Afghan People

Aired October 04, 2001 - 11:05   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also in Washington, President Bush opening the American wallet in a big way to the people of Afghanistan, the world's -- among the world's poorest. He's also hosting two world leaders at the white house.

Kelly Wallace tracking all of this this morning. Kelly, good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, again, bill. Yes more coalition building. Just a few minutes from now, President Bush to meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox, again part of this building of coalition against terrorism. President Fox has pledged what we understand to be -- quote -- "unconditional support" in this campaign. We should see the two leaders after their oval office meeting. And then, as you noted, we saw the president at the state department a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over): This is part of an ongoing campaign by this administration to make the case that this is not a campaign against Islam. that is not a campaign against the people of Afghanistan, but a campaign against terrorists and those who harbor them. The president also having very tough words for Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime calling it a "hard-line regime" and calling the people of Afghanistan "poor souls."

And then, of course, he announced $320 million in additional humanitarian aide. He said the U.S. stands ready and willing to help the people.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In our anger, we must never forget we're a compassionate people as well. We will fight evil, but in order to overcome evil the great goodness of America must come forth and shine forth and one way to do so is to help the poor souls in Afghanistan, and we're going to do so.

WALLACE (on camera): And we understand it will be about $125 million in immediate assistance -- food and medicine. And then another $195 million for later this year when the winter approaches.

And, also, Bill, according to sources telling my colleague bob Franken working at the pentagon, he is hearing that the pentagon has been asked to prepare an air drop plan -- a possible plan for dropping in food to the people of Afghanistan. As you pointed out earlier a big question is exactly how you're going to get the food to the people? How are you going to prevent potentially the Taliban regime from taking food away? So possible plans for an air drop of food to the people there. Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Kelly, before we leave you. Quickly, two world leaders at the white house, what's happening there?

WALLACE: Right, exactly. As we noted, Mexican President Vicente Fox due to arrive a short time from now; meet with the president; and then we should hear from the two leaders after that. As we noted, these two men very close. The Mexican president happened to just be here on a state visit a few weeks ago. President Bush has talked to him a number of times. So Mexico apparently pledging very close cooperation in this effort.

And then later today, the president meeting with the Emir of Qatar -- I think that's the way we're going with that now. Another important country in the Middle East region. Again, efforts to reach out to friends, to allies, to moderate Arab nations, to Mexico and other countries to build, again, a broad-based coalition in the war against terrorism, bill?

HEMMER: Alright, we'll take Qatar or Qatar or however you like. We know what you're talking about, Kelly.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com