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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Goes to Peru

Aired March 24, 2002 - 08:02   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to talk about President Bush heading to El Salvador today. He's winding up his trip to South and Central America before returning to Washington. And yesterday he was in Peru, where he touched on a favorite topic, fighting world terrorism.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has more from Lima.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An historic visit, the first sitting U.S. president to step foot inside Peru. A trip beginning with warmth, fanfare and extra tight security. The Peruvian military placed on the highest alert after Wednesday's car bombing near the U.S. Embassy left nine people dead.

At a news conference with President Toledo, Mr. Bush said he will do what he can to prevent terrorists from gaining a foothold inside this country.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And I would not discount the importance of our relationship when it comes to fighting terror. The world has called us to action. This is a new era.

WALLACE: There were no new pledges of aid to help Peru's counter-terrorism efforts. Instead, Mr. Bush stressed how this year's budget triples the funding to help Peru win the war on drugs.

PRES. ALEJANDRO TOLEDO, PERU: We still have a long way to walk together in this struggle, but we will do it.

WALLACE: While Peru would like to see a resumption of drug surveillance flights, which were suspended last year after the accidental shoot down of an American missionary plane, the president said the matter was still under review.

BUSH: As you know, we had a terrible situation where a young mom and her daughter lost their life that caused us to step back, to take a look at our policy at home and then to work with the Peruvian government.

WALLACE: Mr. Bush touted trade as ammunition against the drug business, meeting with the leaders of the major drug producing countries in Latin America, the president calling on Congress to renew and expand the law eliminating tariffs on some of those countries' experts to the United States.

BUSH: By building these ties of commerce, both our nations create more jobs.

WALLACE: There were some anti-American demonstrators. Peruvian police used tear gas to move them away. But the protests a sign of the democratic reform in this country.

(on camera): And one of the reasons why Mr. Bush wanted to come here, the visit as much about symbolism as substance. The president sending the message that he considers Latin America a priority even though since September 11 his attention has mainly been directed elsewhere.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Lima, Peru.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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