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American Morning

America Under Attack: Can President Keep International Coalition Together?

Aired October 09, 2001 - 11:17   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 SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: As the bombing campaign in Afghanistan enters its third day, one of the most important questions here at the White House and throughout Washington, is can the president keep this international coalition together? We have seen in recent days pictures of anti-American protest. More in Pakistan today. More in Indonesia as well. Muslims around the world protesting against the United States action in Afghanistan. They're a bit sensitive here to White House to any questions suggesting that there has not been enough support voiced by leaders, especially in Arab nations, in the Middle East.

The White House press secretary Ari Fleischer today quoting from media accounts in the region, quoting the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak as saying -- quote -- "He supported all actions taken by the United States." The Saudi Foreign Minister saying in media reports, again, from the region, that there was clear evidence connecting Osama bin Laden to all of this.

The delicate job of diplomacy falls to the secretary of state mostly, and for more on his efforts, we're joined now by our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Obviously, that was a very welcome statement here at the State Department. Some anxious hours have been spent by folks here in this building since Sunday's bombing campaign began. Concern that there might be silence, concern there might be statements of condemnation or critical statements made about this campaign. We've seen not only in addition to the statements this morning from the Middle East, but certainly from the United States allies in Europe, whether ti be France or Germany, from Russia, supporting the U.S.-led campaign.

But having said that, as we've seen already, that support is far from universal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOPPEL (voice-over): Administration officials tell CNN they are worried about how to manage the fragile the U.S.-led coalition in the days ahead, when cracks are already evident, from South Asia to Africa to the Middle East. Around the world, thousands of angry demonstrators are taking to the streets to protest us military strikes against Afghanistan.

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: There have been protests before, and I anticipate there will be protests in the future. That's the reality.

KOPPEL: But privately, officials say, the reality in some countries in Asia and the Middle East with large Muslim populations, is that while the government may support the U.S.-led campaign, the people don't. In Pakistan, where support for the Taliban and Osama bin Laden runs deep, U.S. officials say it appears President Musharraf has things under control for now, but they worry about the future stability of the regime.

In Indonesia, home to tens of millions of Muslims, U.S. officials say that are dismayed that government has done little to protect American citizens from hardline Islamic groups. And in Qatar, where the Al-Jazeera satellite TV station is based and continues to broadcast statements from bin Laden, U.S. officials say the government there has been very unhelpful in toning down anti-American rhetoric.

The challenge for the Bush administration: to keep the coalition together, not only during strikes against terrorist networks in Afghanistan, but months, perhaps years longer.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: There is no silver bullet, as I have said. It is a problem that is gong to take continuous pressure by countries across the globe.

KOPPEL: To that end, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nation notified the Security Council Monday: "This campaign is in its early stages, and could require further actions, with respect to other organizations and other states."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOPPEL: The first real indicator of this coalition staying power could come as soon as today, John. That's because the Organization of Islamic Conference -- that's the largest Muslim group in the world -- is holding a meeting today in Qatar to talk about the campaign.

but judging by recent statements, one senior administration official says the U.S. is not optimistic it's going to get much expressions of support from the OIC -- John.

KING: And, Andrea, remarkable praise today from several senior administration officials from a man who has often in the past been bluntly criticized by this administration, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Why the praise now?

KOPPEL: Well, because yesterday, as we saw in the Palestinian territories, there were some huge demonstrations that were in favor of Osama bin Laden and obviously condemning the U.S.-led airstrikes in Afghanistan. And for the first time in many months, the U.S. saw the Palestinian police move in there and try to shutdown the demonstrations. In fact, Palestinian police killed two Palestinian protesters as a result.

This is, of course, not something the U.S. wants to see, in terms of the loss of human life, but it is a very positive sign that Yasser Arafat is trying to use his influence to curb the demonstrations, which could, in addition, fuel more anti-American sentiment in the region -- John..

KING: And, Andrea, you mentioned in your piece there, questions about the stability, the long-term stability anyway, of the government in Pakistan. Secretary Powell due for a firsthand update this weekend?

KOPPEL: Absolutely. In fact, we don't know yet what day, but we do know that Secretary Powell is going to be traveling to Pakistan and to India at some point at the end of this week, we're told. They're a couple of purposes to this mission. On the one hand, to try to shore up support for General Musharraf, the Pakistani president.

But in addition, John, the administration is very much concerned about the nuclear threat that exists, both between Pakistan and India, the most recent nuclear powers in the world, both having tested in 1998.

And so in stopping in Pakistan, as well as in India, the message from Secretary Powell will be, keep the command and control in place and don't let this tensions between the two of you escalate any further -- John.

Andrea Koppel at the State Department, keeping track of the very important business of the administration, trying to hold this international coalition together, especially in the Arab and Muslim world, this on the third day of U.S. airstrikes on Afghanistan.

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