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CNN Saturday Morning News
Bush Administration Juggles Developments on Homeland Security
Aired June 22, 2002 - 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 CORRESPONDENT: And we begin at the White House, where the Bush team is juggling developments on homeland security this week. The new fuel tanker threat, the Vegas cell phone call, a false alarm, but still worrisome. The White House itself evacuated when a small plane strayed into the air space above it. The alarming conclusion that the F-16s couldn't have reached the plane in time.
Talk about a full plate for Kelly Wallace, here to talk about all of that.
But before we get to that, Kelly, how fast can you run a mile?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Miles, I knew you would put me on the spot. You heard in my package I said including some reporters who don't exercise at all. Those reporters shall remain nameless just between you and me.
O'BRIEN: You didn't use the first person, but the third person was meant as such. OK. Understand.
WALLACE: Exactly. Exactly. And, you know, the president, Miles, runs actually under seven minutes a mile.
O'BRIEN: He would kick my back side if we ran together, that's for sure.
WALLACE: I have heard that he even does close to a six minute about 20 second mile. So we'll see what he can do today.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that is stunning. I'm going to go run right after the program and try to pick up the pace a little. Anyway...
WALLACE: OK.
O'BRIEN: Carry on with more serious matters, will you?
WALLACE: Well, Miles, certainly these three events this week really show how there is a new world order since the September 11 attacks. First, that fuel tanker advisory you mentioned. The FBI putting out this advisory, warning of the possibility terrorists could use a fuel tanker to attack Jewish schools or synagogues. The important thing here, U.S. officials say they put this out out of an abundance of auction. They say this information not corroborated, not specific, that it's coming from some of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and that it might not be credible.
The president saying yesterday when they get this kind of information that could be threatening, this administration is going to release it to the public.
The second thing, of course, our viewers saw this scene earlier in the week. Wednesday night members of the White House press corps, even some members of the White House staff evacuating the premises. This after a small plane entered the restricted air space near the White House.
Now, we know that F-16s were scrambled to try and intercept this plane. This all turned out to be, apparently, an accident, a pilot trying to avoid some thunderstorms. But we did learn that those F-16s would not have been able to intercept that plane in time if that plane did head directly to the White House. U.S. officials say the president was never moved, nor was he notified until Thursday morning, because they say he was never in any danger.
And then the third thing we saw this week, we saw President Bush yesterday in Orlando, Florida, and he was talking about how he believes the investigation or possible investigation into the source of leaks we saw this week is the right thing. Our viewers will recall leaks of intercepts picked up by the National Security Agency, intercepts that were picked up on September 10 but were not translated until September 12. Mr. Bush was very upset by the leaks. He called on the vice president to call the chairmen of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to complain. And, Miles, those chairmen, including the ranking members of those committees, sent a message to the Justice Department asking for an investigation. And the word is the Justice Department is looking into this matter. Everyone very much taking this seriously, saying leaking such information could really jeopardize the administration's ability to fight terrorism in the country and around the world -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right, Kelly, I hate to harp on this, but do you really think the White House staffers, if they could, they would beat the president?
WALLACE: I heard you say that. Absolutely not.
O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.
WALLACE: Although aides say the president is competitive and is encouraging everyone to do their best, run their hardest.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
WALLACE: But you find one White House staffer who's going to beat the president today.
O'BRIEN: All right, Kelly...
WALLACE: I don't think you'll find one.
O'BRIEN: We're sorry you're not going to be with us for our reporter's notebook, by the way.
WALLACE: I'm sorry not to be with you.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I know you're busy. But we'll catch you next weekend on that.
WALLACE: All right, we'll catch you next time. OK.
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