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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush Meets With Japanese Prime Minister

Aired June 30, 2001 - 08:05   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: While the Bush administration is taking pains to stress the vice president's heart test is routine, it is still, of course, a topic of concern. For more on the vice president, temporarily on the sidelines, CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us from Thurmont, Maryland. That's right near Camp David, where the president is expecting to meet later this morning with the Japanese prime minister -- good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

Well, we may get the first comments from President Bush about the vice president's latest visit to the hospital later this morning when Mr. Bush makes a brief appearance before reporters along with the Japanese prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. Now, Mr. Cheney did inform the president Tuesday about his doctor's recommendations and aides say the president fully encouraged the vice president to go forward.

White House officials say Mr. Bush has full faith and confidence in the vice president and in his medical decisions. And Mr. Cheney told reporters yesterday there has been no discussion so far, or at least up to this point, about him stepping down. But he did also say that if his doctors ever recommended that he resign for medical reasons, he would certainly do so.

And as Candy Crowley reported yesterday, some Republicans have already been saying that they don't believe the vice president will be on the ticket in 2004 and some even believe he will have to resign before then.

But again, a focus for the president on this day certainly trying to get to know the new Japanese prime minister. Prime Minister Koizumi arrived in Washington Friday night. This, his first visit on the international stage after his sweeping victory in April. He is widely popular at home and in the United States he is viewed as a reformer who has the right ideas. The big question, U.S. officials say, is whether or not he can deliver.

Now, the Japanese prime minister will try to get Mr. Bush's full backing of his plan to fix Japan's ailing economy by cleaning up the country's troubled banking system. This, though, could mean some short-term pain in Japan, which could have an impact on the economic slowdown in the United States. Now, President Bush left for the presidential retreat at Camp David yesterday afternoon. Aides say this location was chosen basically to have an informal setting for the two men to develop a bond and get to know one another. They certainly, though, will also talk about some policy issues and some issues where the two countries don't exactly see eye to eye, such as over global warming and missile defense. Another issue that could come up is increasing Japanese opposition to the U.S. military presence in Okinawa after another allegation of rape involving a U.S. service member.

But again, Miles, this meeting really not about reaching agreement, more about the personal, a chance for the two men to get to know one another so that they and their advisers can work on the tough issues down the road -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right, thank you very much. CNN's Kelly Wallace live from Thurmont, Maryland. Appreciate it.

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