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CNN Sunday Morning

White House Calls Taliban Spokesman's Remarks `Propaganda'

Aired October 14, 2001 - 09:25   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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: In a videotaped statement delivered to the Al Jazeera network and reviewed by CNN, al Qaeda spokesman Sulleiman Abu Gheith gave his organization's reaction to the first wave of the U.S. led strikes. The statement is believed to have been taped on Thursday, maybe even Friday.

But in it, Abu Gheith accused the U.S. and President Bush of intentionally bombing an Afghan village and turning villages to dust. He also accused President Bush, former President Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of crimes against Muslims.

There has already been reaction to that statement coming from the White House and Camp David where the president is spending the weekend. Kelly Wallace joins us from near there this morning.

Good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Marty. The White House dismissing the statement and the threat it contained as -- quote -- "just more propaganda." And Attorney General John Ashcroft, in fact, viewing a television interview just a short time ago, saying that this statement really nothing more or less than just propaganda. And he says it's really not in the administration's interest in dealing with propaganda, certainly doesn't want to enhance the standing of this al Qaeda group although administration officials saying that this statement, another -- quote -- "data point to prove al Qaeda's culpability in the September 11 terrorist attacks."

That's a point echoed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He said the statement -- quote -- "can leave no one in doubt of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda's intention to continue to conduct, insight and support acts of terrorism."

And if this statement was designed to try to break up the international coalition against terrorism particularly when it concerns Arab and Muslims allies, that is not happening, according to one key Arab ally to the United States. Here's Jordan's ambassador to the United States in an interview with CNN yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARWAN MUASHER, JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: The statement clearly criticizes the organization of Islamic states for taking the position they have in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) few days ago in supporting the international community in its effort against terrorism. This is obviously a statement that shows the frustration of al Qaeda because the other Islamic states did not support them in this campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now, President Bush remaining at Camp David, expected to head back to the White House later today. No national security briefings on his agenda today, but he did spend about 30 minutes with his National Security Council team on Saturday, conducting another video teleconference with his staff. Joining him at Camp David, CIA director George Tenet and his national security adviser, other advisers joining from Washington.

The president going over, of course, military developments as well as concerns in the United States -- the FBI issuing an alert on Thursday, saying it is possible there could be terrorist in the United States or against American interests overseas over the next several days. And of course, growing concerns in the United States about more cases of anthrax.

So the president trying to ease the concerns of Americans in his radio address, saying he knows that Americans are uneasy but he also said that the government is taking strong precautions and that the government is vigilant and doing everything it possibly can. And then, Marty, the president continuing to try to encourage Americans to be on alert but to also go about their normal business.

And as a sign of that, the president, is continuing to take a previously scheduled trip. He will leave for China on Wednesday for an economic summit but he, of course, will also be keeping a very close eye on the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and in the United States -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Kelly, the Sunday morning talk shows are on the air now with a lot of politicians and figures from government. Anyone making the connection between these anthrax -- reports of these exposures and the events that happened on September 11?

WALLACE: Well, that is the key question. Attorney General John Ashcroft out on the shows as well as Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. The attorney general asked that very question -- if the administration, at this point, sees any linkages between the cases in New York, Nevada and Florida and the September 11 terrorist attacks. The attorney general saying the administration doesn't have any conclusive evidence but it can't rule out that possibility and it is certainly investigating if there are any linkages.

And of course, Marty, we saw the vice president, Dick Cheney, in an interview on Friday when he said he had his suspicions because he said that Osama Bin Laden and his associates in the al Qaeda organization have been trained to use substances such as anthrax. And so, he said he's very suspicious and said you just can't rule out and you must investigate to see if there are any linkages between these cases of anthrax and of course, the al Qaeda organization -- Marty. SAVIDGE: Kelly Wallace at Camp David, thank you very much for joining us this morning.

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