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CNN Live Sunday

Bush Returns from Shanghai, APEC

Aired October 21, 2001 - 15:29   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: President Bush is headed back to the White House from Shanghai, where he attended a meeting of Asia Pacific leaders. The Summit's planned agenda, economic issues, overshadowed, of course, by discussions of the global fight against terrorism.

And in separate talks with Russia's president, the issue of missile defense a big one.

CNN's senior White House correspondent John King has details for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Still at odds but politely so on missile defense and allies in the war on terrorism.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): It is very important for everybody to know if we started fighting terrorism, it should be completed, because otherwise, terrorists might have an impression that they are not vulnerable.

KING: Mr. Bush made clear he still plans to withdraw from the 1972 Antiballistic Treaty soon, if he and President Putin cannot write a new strategic framework that allows a missile shield.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The events of September 11 make it clearer than ever that a Cold War ABM Treaty, that prevents us from defending our people is outdated and I believe dangerous.

KING: President Putin said he is still not convinced, but willing to listen when he comes to the United States next month, especially if any missile defense deal is linked to cuts in strategic nuclear arsenals.

PUTIN: As we are prepared to discuss that with our American partners.

KING: Mr. Bush welcomed the Putin endorsement of the strikes on Afghanistan because it went well beyond the backing he received earlier in the day from the 20 member Asia Pacific Summit. The APEC leaders condemned the September 11 attacks on the United States and called terrorism "a profound threat to the peace, prosperity, and security of all people, of all faiths, of all nations."

There was summit agreement on finding and freezing the assets of terror groups, improving airline and maritime security, and new border controls to restrict terrorist movements.

BUSH: We're not conducting these operations alone. We've got universal support around the world.

KING: But it was not everything Mr. Bush, no endorsement of the U.S.-led military campaign, no specific mention of Osama bin Laden or al Qaeda.

Predominantly Muslim Malaysia and Indonesia were most vocal, but not alone in calling for the military strikes to give way to a political solution. And Indonesia's foreign minister warned of explosive reaction in the Muslim world if the strikes continue into the holy period of Ramadan, just a few weeks away now.

Mr. Bush said he was heading home, convinced he had strengthened the international coalition.

(on camera): But the deliberations here were a vivid reminder that while the President has plenty of company when it comes to condemning terrorism, he has far fewer allies if the issue is the use of military force to fight the terrorists.

John King, CNN, Shanghai.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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