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CNN Sunday Morning

White House Reaction to Latest al Qaeda Statement

Aired October 14, 2001 - 08:00   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: In a taped statement delivered to Al Jazeera network and reviewed by CNN, al Qaeda spokesman Suleiman Abu- Gheith gave his organization's reaction to the first wave of U.S.-led strikes against targets in Afghanistan.

The statement is believed to have been taped on Thursday or Friday, and in it Abu-Gheith accuses the United States 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.

Al Qaeda's statement made its way, certainly, to Camp David, Maryland, and CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us with the president's reaction.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, there, Donna.

Well, the White House responding very quickly, saying this statement is, quote, "just more propaganda." The administration dismissing this statement and the threats contained in this statement, again, calling it more propaganda.

Also, though, officials saying that this statement, as well as an earlier statement by the al Qaeda group since the September 11 attacks, indicate that Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda associates definitely have ties to those attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and also western Pennsylvania.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair saying the same thing in a statement. He said that this statement -- this recent statement by the al Qaeda organization -- quote, "can leave no one in any doubt of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda's intention to continue to conduct, incite and support acts of terrorism."

Now, we do know from a White House official that this statement, like previous statements, will be reviewed by federal officials to see if it contains any coded messages for terrorist cells around the world. Obviously, the administration continuing to be on a heightened state of alert. The FBI issuing an alert on Thursday, saying it is possible there could be terrorist attacks against Americans in the United States or against American interests overseas over the next several days.

President Bush, of course, monitoring all types of investigations related to future terrorist attacks, as well as the September 11 attacks, and also the military campaign against Afghanistan.

He convened another video teleconference with his National Security Council team on Saturday for about 30 minutes. Joining the president up at Camp David, CIA Director George Tenet, as well as his National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Other advisers joining that video conference from Washington.

And one thing the president did, again, on Saturday, something he has really had to do almost every day, striking a delicate balance.

Concern, of course, in the United States about possible future terrorist attacks, and now cases of anthrax in New York, Nevada, and Florida.

The message from the president in his radio address is that Americans should be calm; the government is doing everything it possibly can.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I understand that many Americans are feeling uneasy. But all Americans should be assured we're taking strong precautions.

We are vigilant, we are determined. The country is alert, and the great power of the American nation will be felt.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the president continuing to monitor developments from the presidential retreat at Camp David. He's expected to head back to the White House later today. And then, Donna, his Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, making the rounds on the Sunday talk shows, including CNN's "LATE EDITION."

So we should get the latest from the administration on these anthrax cases from Secretary Thompson -- Donna.

KELLEY: And Kelly, while the president tries to keep reassuring the nation and fighting terrorism, the trip to China at this point is still on, isn't it?

WALLACE: The trip is still on, the president leaving Wednesday morning. The administration did shorten that trip quite a bit because it's -- the White House felt it was important for the president to spend as much time as he could in the United States monitoring this campaign against terrorism. But the trip is on. And it's really two-fold. One, obviously, the president will be focusing on issues such as economics and free trade. Also, though, it will give him an opportunity to meet with key allies in this campaign. He'll spend some time with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of South Korea, Japan as well.

And Donna, White House officials saying, just as President Bush is encouraging Americans to go about their normal business, this trip is an example of the president doing the same -- going about on a previously scheduled trip and focusing on other issues besides this international campaign against terrorism -- Donna.

KELLEY: All right, from Camp David, our Kelly Wallace. Thanks very much.

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