Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Fleischer Debunks Report that Anthrax is Iraqi in Origin

Aired October 29, 2001 - 10:08   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: At the White House now, President Bush a few short a hours away from chairing his first meeting with the Homeland Security Council. CNN's Major Garrett watching that and more now. Major, good morning.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill. A couple of new developments I want to share with the audience, about what the White House has learned about the anthrax sent not only to the Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office but also to the "New York Post." As you well know, Bill, there have been persistent questions what was in that anthrax. There were reports over the weekend that a substance known as bentanite was in the anthrax in both samples. Why would that be important?

Well, because there is some evidence to suggest that bentanite would be a signature, if you will, of Iraqi production of anthrax. Well, we put a question to Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary, this morning on what exactly the latest tests have revealed. Here is what he said. That the Army biological army laboratory analysis of the anthrax in both those samples, the Daschle and the "New York Post" sample, reveal no evidence of aluminum.

Now, stick with me, Bill, we're both going to learn a little bit about chemistry here. Ari Fleischer then said because there was no aluminum, bentanite could not be in the anthrax sample because you must have to have aluminum present to have bentanite present. I am not sure if that is true, but that is what Ari Fleischer said, he seemed very confident in his description of it.

He also went on to tell us that, in many cases, the White House will tell us what is not in the sample as opposed to what is in it, for reasons that this is a criminal investigation that is ongoing and the White House fears if too much is disclosed about what is exactly in the anthrax samples, it will be a clue to those who sent it that the investigators are on their trail and that may change some behavior. But the White House did want to confront this reportage over the weekend that bentanite was in the anthrax sample sent to Daschle and the "New York Post." That now, from the White House, untrue.

Also, one other thing to point out at that Homeland Security meeting here at the White House later on this afternoon, the president will be announcing the formation of a foreign terrorist tracking task force. That's a big mouthful to be sure. Ari Fleischer would not go into great detail about what that task force will be about, but the underlying assumption here, based on his comments, was it will deal with looking at immigration policies, specifically tightening up visas, to make sure those who would commit terrorist acts who are here on visas, comply with all requirements of those visas. Bill.

HEMMER: Major, the information battle we are hearing out of the White House. Tom Ridge, again, is going to meet reporters in about an hour and 20 minutes from now, 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. There is talk about Tom Ridge meeting with reporters everyday. Will that happen?

GARRETT: Not this week. It'll be Monday, Wednesday, Friday. At least that's the schedule this week. But the White House has made it clear they're going to make Tom Ridge available as often as facts and questions and concern requires. As many as five times a week if that's what's necessary. Tom Ridge will be joined by other officials from the government, but clearly the White House wants to make Mr. Ridge and his office of Homeland Security the main repository for information and dissemination of that information, first through us, and then to the general public.

HEMMER: Major, the other thing that has come up over the weekend is trying to give Tom Ridge somebody from the scientific field to help answer a lot of complicated questions. Some of the things that you were just talking about. Will that happen to help him out with reporters?

GARRETT: There is work afoot here at the White House, Bill, to bring in one or two scientists or at least task someone from either the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people who have a long standing scientific background, first in anthrax, because that is what we are all dealing with now, but potentially other people from other fields because this Homeland Security office will have to deal with so many threats, biochem, chemical, all those things coming at the White House. They want to be prepared but they need to have some people in house to give the information to Mr. Ridge, so he can give it us, and from us to the rest of the audience.

HEMMER: Indeed you are right there. Major, thanks. Major Garrett at the White House.

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