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American Morning

Ask CNN: What is the Function of the National Security Adviser?

Aired October 05, 2001 - 14:43   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.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT: Germaine St. John from Laramie, Wyoming, asks: What is the function of the national security adviser?

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Germaine, the national security adviser is the president's top assistant on military, intelligence and diplomatic matters. Under President Bush, it is Condoleezza Rice, and she keeps him updated day to day, sometimes minute to minute on what's going on, what's happening around the world that affects U.S. national security and what decisions he needs to make. The national security adviser is outranked in the government by the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, the vice president and others, but the job often accumulates tremendous power, because the adviser has constant access to the president. And in Washington, access often means power.

However, Dr. Rice will tell you her job is often simply to transmit to the president what his cabinet team is suggesting and to help coordinate the advice they give him. There is a national security council staff at the White House under Dr. Rice which prepares options for the president.

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