Skip to main content
CNN.com /transcript

CNN TV

EDITIONS
SERVICES
CNN TV
EDITIONS

CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

America's New War: Response and Remembrance

Aired September 14, 2001 - 20:00   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.
ANNOUNCER: Tonight a CNN special report. "America's New War: Response and Remembrance." Days after a surprise terrorist onslaught destroys the World Trade Center and leaves the Pentagon badly damaged, the military prepares to mobilize up to 50,000 Reservists for homeland defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: While investigators gain ground, officials say some would-be terrorists remain in the U.S. We'll hear from our correspondents on the investigation and on the preparations for war. As Congress gives the go-ahead, we'll speak live with Senators Carl Levin and John Warner and with Reservists who are preparing to part from their families.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: USA! USA! USA! USA!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: We'll see the spirit of America at ground zero, where heroic rescue efforts continue. And we'll hear from families desperately seeking word on loved ones, among the thousands buried in the rubble.

And in what the President calls the middle hour of our grief, we'll speak with Cardinal Theodore, Archbishop of Washington, and Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York.

(BEGIN CLIP)

BILLY GRAHAM: But how we do we understand something like this? Why does God allow evil like this to take place?

(END CLIP)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Washington. GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Greta Van Susteren.

BLITZER: Behind me, the Capitol where Congress is providing emergency funding and support for a tough U.S. response to terror.

SUSTEREN: And behind me, the White House, where the President began a day marked by prayer in a spirit boosting trip to New York's ground zero. In the distance, the Pentagon, wounded but ready to fight back.

BLITZER: Grim determination, a search for solace and a show of solidarity, day four of America's new war. CNN Washington bureau chief Frank Sesno take us through this day.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK SESNO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As an early morning rain fell on rescuers and complicated their search for victims and clues, the nation turned to a day of patriotism.

(MUSIC, "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL")

BUSH: This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way and at an hour our choosing.

SESNO: Of prayer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All people of faith want to say to this nation and to the world that love is stronger than hate.

SESNO: And of taking stock of its lingering pain.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The casualties are in there. It's pretty much the worse thing you can imagine to see.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At this point, after not finding any news, we are very desperate.

SESNO: Three days after the terrorist attacks, President Bush begins the day by activating 35,0000 Reservists. At 10:15 a.m., CNN learns the names of 19 suspected hijackers who were aboard the four ill-fated planes. The F.B.I. makes the list public by mid-afternoon.

In Congress, approval for a $40 billion plan to fund recovery and counter terrorism efforts. And it moves to strengthen the President's hand, nearing final approval for a resolution calling for the use of all necessary and appropriate force against those responsible for the attacks.

By 3:00 p.m., CNN's David Ensor quotes U.S. officials as saying they're may still be people inside the U.S. looking to commits acts of terrorism. 4:00 p.m., under heavy security, President Bush arrives at ground zero to see first hand the devastation of what was once the World Trade Center. He thanks the weary rescue crews and makes an emotional pledge.

BUSH: I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people...

(APPLAUSE)

... and the people that knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD: USA! USA! USA! USA!

SESNO: Frank Sesno, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Investigators here in Washington say they've made great strides in identifying the hijackers and are casting a wide net. Let's go live to CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena. Kelli, I understand there's been a major development with the past hour?

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Justice officials have confirmed that one arrest warrant has been issued for a person described as a material witness. Now it is a tactic that law enforcement is expected to employ many times in the near future to try to keep people in custody, so that they can question them further for as long they need to.

The FBI has said that it issued 35 search warrants, hundreds of subpoenas, and has conducted hundreds of interviews as part of its investigation, which has been dubbed "Operation Pent Bomb."

Now what's more, sources say there are currently 27 people who are in INS custody. One source says the FBI has gleaned useful and helpful information, but that "if there was some real concrete evidence then someone would have been arrested by now."

The FBI has received more than 36,000 leads. It's also forwarded a watch list to various authorities. Now that lists more than 100 names of people that the FBI thinks may be helpful to provide information. If found, those people will be detained for questioning.

And the Justice Department today also released the name of 19 people who have been identified as hijackers. Many of them have ties to southern Florida and many were pilots who attended U.S. flight schools.

Law enforcement sources say that most of the hijackers identified have a direct or indirect link to Osama Bin Laden, but that they are not ruling out other entities which may have had a hand in Tuesday's attacks.

Now here's what we know about the hijackers. Let's start with American Airlines flight number 11, which crashed into the World Trade Center. That's the North Tower. That list includes four, believed to be pilots, including Mohammed Atta and Wail Alshehri.

Now Atta's car was found at Logan Airport in Boston. He received training at several flight schools in Florida. Alshehri also went to flight schools in Florida, and sources say lived with Atta.

Now Looking at United flight 175, which crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center, hijackers on that flight include Marwan Al-Shehhi, believed to be a pilot and who also lived with Mohammed Atta.

On United's flights, 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania, three of the hijackers have ties to Florida, one, Jarrahi is believed to be a pilot.

And on American flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, there were five hijackers, some with ties in Fort Lee, New Jersey, others to California.

Now Wolf, terrorism experts say that it is safe to assume that the hijackers were low level operatives. Terrorist organizations rarely sacrifice their high level asset. But their identities are vital in helping to track down their associates, which could help the FBI identify terrorist cells working within the United States.

Back to you.

BLITZER: And Kelli, briefly, is there a widespread sense among these investigators that some terrorists may still be at large here in the United States?

ARENA: Well, Wolf, intelligence sources have told CNN that there is evidence that there may still be terrorists in the United States with the aim of targeting more U.S. targets. Our national -- security correspondent David Ensor was given this quote, "that there is reason to believe that not all the terrorists are dead or in jail." A very sobering thought, Wolf.

BLITZER Kelli Arena, thank you very much. Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, they're fighting to recover from Tuesday's attack, while at the same time preparing for war.

CNN military affairs correspondent Jamie McIntyre is there. He joins us now live. Jamie, first of all, about the President's decision to mobilize as many as 50,000 Reservists. You reported this last night. Tell us what the plan is.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this is not the prelude to war, but it could be the prelude to the prelude to war. What the Pentagon has asked for is authorization to call 50,000 troops. They've initially identified 35,000 that they may need right away, including troops that would back up and support some of the fighter pilots that have been flying protective cover over the United States.

The breakdown goes like this, about 10,000 Army troops, 13,000 Air Force, 7500 Marines, 3000 Navy personnel and 2000 Coast Guard. And they'll be doing everything from port operations to engineering support. And as I said, even pilots and air crews.

The mission here is either to defend, beef up the defenses of the United States or to aid civil authorities in disaster relief. There has not yet been a call-up for the purpose of mobilizing for war, but that could come.

BLITZER: Jamie, what about today at the Pentagon in the search and rescue operation there, the clean-up. What's going on?

MCINTYRE: Well, the death tolls still stands at 190. They did recover the so-called black boxes, but sources say that the flight data recorder, while was in pretty good condition, the cockpit voice recorder, which would've recorded what was said in the cockpit, apparently would did yield any significant information.

The grim task of recovering the remains continues. The bodies are being brought out and taken to a military mortuary in Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. And that'll continue over the weekend.

BLITZER: And Jamie, update us on that story you've been reporting about the possibility that some of those terrorists may actually have been trained in the United States at military facilities?

MCINTYRE: Well, it's not clear, Wolf. Some of the names that are on that list matched names of people who attended U.S. military schools under an exchange program that the U.S. has to bolster ties with other countries. Those two schools were the Air War College in Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and the Defense Language Academy, which is in Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

They wouldn't have gotten any classified training there. It's mostly, in the case of the language school, mostly learning another language. In the case of the Air War College, it's more about military theory and trying to inculcate some foreign students with some of the values of the U.S. military.

But nevertheless, the names matched. They just can't be sure it's the same persons.

BLITZER: Jamie Mcintyre at the Pentagon, thank you very much. Meanwhile, Congress has moved quickly to provide financial and moral support for the recovery and for a strong U.S. response.

Joining us now, the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin and the ranking member John Warner, who himself is a former Navy Secretary and a veteran of two wars. First of all to you Mr. Chairman, tell the American public right now how close this country is to actually beginning military operations?

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: Well, we don't know. And if I did know, I wouldn't say, because obviously that's the kind of information that we keep to ourselves. But we are preparing both ourselves and hopefully with a lot of other countries, because we need to do this effectively and it could be done most effectively when that action occurs, whether it's in the short-term or long-term. It's most effective if it's done with other countries throughout the world, who will defend civilization against this kind of action. But the war has been brought to America. We will lead, but hopefully, we will find ourselves joined with civilized nations around the world, including some nontraditional allies, including Russia, hopeful, would be joining with us when the time comes.

BLITZER: Senator Warner, I want to put some pictures up of a candlelight vigil in your home state of Virginia, nearby here in Arlington, Virginia, in Northern Virginia. As we show these pictures, I want to ask you about the nature, though, of this war without revealing any classified information or secrets or anything like that. What should the country be prepared for as it looks down the road?

SEN. JOHN WARNER (R), VIRGINIA: You know, I've visited that very scene behind the Pentagon where I worked for five years as Navy secretary. And I was there yesterday. But to answer your question, I can best do it by telling you of a conversation I had with the President yesterday in the Oval Office.

And he said, we as a nation together with our allies. As Senator Levin said, it'll be a coalition, much like his father put together in the '91 Gulf War. We will pursue these terrorists relentlessly, find them, hold them accountable and take every step necessary to deter a follow-on attack.

He stressed it's going to be a long time before we achieve this. It could be months. It could be years, and it could involve a number of engagements.

BLITZER: Senator Levin, the Secretary of State General Colin Powell spoke similarly as Senator Warner just did. I want to play for you an excerpt of what he had to say today. And then we'll talk about the military ramifications of what he said. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The enemy is in many places. The enemy is not looking to be found. The enemy is hidden. The enemy is very often right here within our own country. And so, you have to design a campaign plan that goes after that kind of enemy. And it isn't always blunt force military, although that is certainly an option.

It may well be that the diplomatic efforts, political efforts, legal, financial, other efforts may be just as effective against that kind of an enemy as with military force.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What General Powell is suggesting, Senator Levin, is that this military campaign that probably is going to happen is going to be different than anything we've seen before?

LEVIN: A lot different in many ways, including the ones that Secretary Powell talked about. But there's also a difference now from the last few wars. When we went to the Balkans, there was great dispute. There was questions among our people, what are we doing there, why aren't the Europeans doing it. There were surely questions in Vietnam.

But here, there's no question. This is war brought to us on our own turf, on our homeland, against us directly. And this is a Pearl Harbor situation, but this time it's a terrorist Pearl Harbor. So we have a totally united, cohesive people willing to take the risks and if necessary, to lose the lives and to use all the resources that we need to go after terrorism, which is the greatest threat to civilization and has been for years.

And that is also new. It's not just more complex in terms of who the enemy is and how to identify them. But it is also, in a way, it's so important that we have that cohesion among the American people. And that is very different from some recent engagements. And that is one of the reasons why we will prevail.

BLITZER: Senator Warner, as we look at these pictures from a candlelight vigil now continuing in Boston. I want to point out to you a new poll that CNN and "Time" Magazine has just released on very sensitive subject and get your reaction. On the question of should the United States assassinate terrorist leaders? Look at this. 81 percent say yes. They favor that. Only 16 percent oppose.

As you know, there's been an executive order in place since 1977, I believe, opposing or in 1976, opposing barring the U.S. from engaging in assassinations. What do you say about this?

WARNER: I would say that we should take into consideration the sentiments of the American people, debate that issue very carefully and very thoroughly. And the Congress of the United States, in consultation with the President, and then cast a vote on it.

You know, I pick up on the chairman. The chairman said this nation's united and he is right. I have in my hand a resolution passed today in less than one hour on the floor of the United States Senate, which is stronger than a declaration of war, and gives our President, President Bush, the authority to use such force as necessary to pursue these terrorists. So for the time being, we're operating under the existing framework of laws.

BLITZER: Senator Levin, before I ask you the next question, I just want to update our viewers. We've got an additional piece of breaking news. In addition to the arrest warrant that was released earlier today, we have just now confirmed that an actual arrest has been made in connection with this investigation.

We don't have details. We're working on that. We should be providing those details shortly, but an arrest has been made in this investigation, the first, we believe, formal arrest in this investigation.

Senator Levin, another question we asked in our CNN/"Time" Magazine poll was this. Should the U.S. reinstate the military draft is a ground war is necessary to fight this war against terror? 66 percent favor it, 28 percent oppose it. Do you think it will be necessary to go back to a draft? LEVIN: If it is, we should do it. We should not be reluctant to use all of the forces at our command, including our citizen armies and including the draft. So the Reserves today are going to be called up, up to 50,000 of them. Those are our citizen soldiers. And the draft if it's necessary to prevail, I vote for it absolutely.

This is December 8, 1941. But this time, it's a war against terrorism. But the people here are so determined. We have that absolutely unified determination. So yes, if we need the draft in order to carry out a successful war, I would vote for it. Again I emphasize, we need a strong coalition. And I believe we're going to be able to put it together, because that's important in terms of success.

We need the time to prepare for this effort. We need the time to prevail because we must prevail. And part of that success is going to be achieved because I believe so many nations, some of whom have never participated with us, this time will join against the common scourge of terrorism.

BLITZER: And we only have a few seconds left. Senator Warner, in the many years you've been in Congress in Washington, you're a Republican. Senator Levin is Democrat. Have you ever seen the U.S. Congress as united as it is right now?

WARNER: No, very clearly this is evidence of it. 10 years ago, I helped draft the resolution that George Bush, then president, won the Gulf War with our coalition allies. It was three days and three nights of ferocious debate on the Senate floor and it prevailed by only five votes.

This one is 100 votes. What clear evidence. Senator Levin and I worked on the drafting with our leadership of this. What clear evidence of a unity in the Congress and the Congress speak for the people of the United States.

BLITZER: Senator Warner and Senator Levin, I want to thank both of you for joining us.

Meanwhile, ceremonies and vigils continue across the country tonight on this day of prayer and remembrance. This was the scene a short time ago in Somerset, Pennsylvania near where one of the hijacked planes crashed on Tuesday.

It was a similar scene in Birmingham, Alabama, where a large crowd held candles and listened to patriotic songs. And Americans weren't mourning alone today. 75,000 people turned out for a ceremony in the Canadian capital of Ottawa. Prime Minister Jean Chretien led that crowd and all of Canada in observing three minutes of silence.

(MUSIC)

In London, thousands sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at a prayer service attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Queen Elizabeth and many others. One of the largest gatherings anywhere today was in Berlin, Germany, where more than 200,000 people filled the area around the Brandenburg Gate. German President Johannes Rau told the crowd that no one knows better than the people of Berlin what America has done for democracy and freedom.

Even Iran, whose leaders commonly refer to the United States as "the great Satan," has been moved by Tuesday's attacks: 60,000 people at a World Cup qualifying match in Tehran, which we just saw, observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of Tuesday's attack.

We're now going to show you an interview that the president gave to David Gregory. He was a pool reporter for the White House press corps, who joined the president in New York. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Well, I'm shocked at the size of this devastation. And it's hard to describe what it's like to see the gnarled steel and broken glass and twists, the building silhouetted against smoke.

I said that this was the first act of war on America in the 21st century. And I was right, particularly having seen the scene. However, out of the rubble and ash and ugliness, there's a lot of good, starting with the guys from L.A. that are here. They've come all the way over from California to help brothers and sisters in need. That's a symbol of the greatness of the country. This is a country that's coming together.

I was also struck by how angry many of the workers were, in spite of the fact they have exhausted, worked to exhaustion. And they're angry. They're angry at the people who did the crime. They're angry at the people who destroyed life. They're angry at people who caused the devastation.

And as I said, I heard their anger. America will feel the same way. And our response will be one that is justified.

DAVID GREGORY, REPORTER: So what's your level of satisfaction on how the investigation's progressing and how the intelligence-gathering is going?

BUSH: I am satisfied that America has rallied, during this terrible tragedy. I'm satisfied that the compassion of the nation has risen to the surface. I'm satisfied that if in any community, if we asked for help, we'll find it. I'm also satisfied that the 4,000 FBI agents are working tirelessly to gather all the evidence that can be gathered to find those who may still be in our country if they are here. I'm satisfied that our planning for possible future actions is going on course.

Most of all, I'm satisfied and I'm pleased to be an American. This is a proud moment for our country. Out of this terrible devastation and ruin, the greatest of America shines forth.

And I'm here just -- as best as I can possibly can, to thank the American people who are helping here, and to give comfort to those hurt.

A lot of the firefighters who we saw had tears in their eyes because they lost loved-ones. I mean, their brothers are missing, you know, and it's a sad moment. I mean, the least I can do is to give them a hug and maybe encourage them some.

GREGORY: (OFF-MIKE)?

BUSH: We're gathering all the possible evidence. And at the appropriate time, we will let America know what the evidence says.

QUESTION: Do you feel like you know who did it?

BUSH: We know we've got a suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thanks for coming.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: President Bush saying "We know we have a suspect," answering questions as he was touring the rubble outside what used to be the World Trade Center in New York.

We're joined now by two leaders of Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Edward Egan of New York, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington. He has a family connection to the tragedy. Thank you so much for joining us.

Cardinal McCarrick, tell us about your family connection.

CARDINAL THEODORE MCCARRICK, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON: Well, one of the firefighters, Michael Lynch, is a relative of mine. He's missing now. Apparently, his company went in early and he might have been lost as the building came down on top of him. So we still have hope, but we're not sure what the story is.

BLITZER: And Cardinal, I take it you were do to marry him in November, is that right?

MCCARRICK: That's right. That's right. I had seen him at his brother's wedding. I married his brother a couple of -- about a month ago and he was supposed to be married himself in November. So -- we -- there's still a lot of hope, but we're realistic.

BLITZER: Cardinal Egan, as we speak, we're showing live pictures of candlelight vigils all across the country, this one in Providence, Rhode Island. How do you explain to members of your diocese in New York? How do you explain what happened in terms of how God allowed this tragedy to take place?

CARDINAL EDWARD EGAN, ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK: Well, I've tried to say it every step along the way, that we are in the hands of a provident and a loving God, and that we've got to keep that clearly in mind at every step. This has been a very, very difficult week for New York. I was down in the World Trade Center area with the President today and offered a prayer at his request. And I felt that the police officers and the firefighters, the emergency workers, the health care professionals and our outstanding civic leadership were with us 100 percent, trusting in the Lord, anxious to see to it that justice is served, but careful to see to it that we don't allow ourselves to fall into any hatreds or any desires for revenge.

We want to deal with this in a civilized matter. We want to bring the perpetrators before civilized courts and deal with them as civilized, noble, decent human beings, the kind of people we've seeing here in New York over the last several days.

BLITZER: Cardinal Egan, as we speak, we're looking at some pictures, excuse me for interrupting, of members at this candlelight vigil in Manhattan outside armory, where people are searching, continuing to search for their loved ones.

How do you comfort these people who are searching for family members right now missing since Tuesday morning?

EGAN: Well, to tell you the truth, Mr. Blitzer, I've been involved in that every day. I was down in lower Manhattan at St. Vincent's all day when the two buildings came down. I gave the final anointing, last rites as they say for a number of people. I found my arms around a lot of hurting people, but I also found at the same time that when I reminded them that we are the children of a loving God, that they were more than willing to accept that point of view.

We've had tonight St. Patrick's Cathedral something like 2,500 people who came in for mass, nothing special, just the evening mass. They were there to pray. As I came here from St. Patrick's to your studio, all along the streets, people were walking with candles. People were setting candles in front of churches in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral as we turned the corner, people were there. They're expressing trust. They're expressing confidence. We're a people of faith.

And I believe we've seen ourselves to be a noble and decent people.

You cannot imagine the kind of dedication all of us have witnessed in our police officers, our firefighters. Tomorrow, I have the funeral of Father Michael Judge, who is one of the Archdiocese and chaplains for the Fire Department of New York. He died with a firefighter. The firefighter cried as he told me the particulars of the incident. And yet, at every step, I knew there was faith there. I knew there was trust there. There was confidence. We're a good people, courageous people. We're going to pick up the pieces and we're going to do what is right.

And I don't think I have seen, I've been in the hospitals. I've been over at Chelsea Piers. I've been at the new school where people were finding out that their relatives were dead. I spend all day yesterday down in -- all yesterday morning, rather, walking through the dust. I assume, you, Mr. Blitzer, the figuring are figuring it out. They have confidence in their God and they are showing heroism and love. I'm not worried at all about New York or the nation.

BLITZER: Cardinal McCarrick, we only have little time, but I think it's your impression, I know it's mine that even though you couldn't blame anyone for losing their faith at a time when these kinds of horrible tragedies unfold, my sense is people get a stronger bit of faith during these terrible, terrible moments. Is that your impression as well?

MCCARRICK: I think it's true. I think what is evidence, Cardinal Egan said, is so very true. And I commend him for the extraordinary goodness that he's shown the last few days in being with the people.

But I think one of the things that appeared to me is something very, very strong, was when we were watching these terrible things happening last Tuesday, constantly people who saw what was going on, would say, "Oh, my God, oh, my God." I'm sure in a certain sense, that's a cultural response, but it's also more than that.

It's also the cry of people who know that they need the Lord and who reach out to him. Because as the cardinal said, they really trust Him. We trust the Lord. We Americans have always trusted the Lord. And I think at a moment like this, that happens more clearly, more profoundly, more perfectly.

And I see it happening down here in Washington. And I'm a New Yorker. So I know that it happens up in New York, too. And I think what the cardinal is saying is absolutely true. The people come at these moments to recognize that even though they are unhappy about what is happening in their lives, yet they know there is a providence that looks over them and watches them and takes care of them.

BLITZER I want to thank both of you very much. Cardinal Egan, Cardinal Mccarrick, thank you so much for your words on this evening. Thank you so much.

MCCARRICK: Pleasure, thank you, sir.

EGAN: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: We appreciate it very much.

And let's go down do my colleague, Greta Van Susteren for more -- Greta.

SUSTEREN: Wolf, it has been a day of prayer, as your guests have noticed. And it's been a day of painstaking work. And a couple of hours ago, there was an absolutely incredible show of emotion. As President Bush toured the disaster scene at the World Trade Center, all the rescue workers began chanting, "USA, USA." Watch and listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want you all to know -- we can't go any louder.

I want you all to know that America today, America today is on bended knee in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go get them, George.

BUSH: This nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: George, I can't hear you!

BUSH: I can hear you!

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people...

(APPLAUSE)

And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SUSTEREN: We'll have more from New York in just a minute. But first, let's recap the day's most important developments.

Justice Department sources tells CNN, an individual has been arrested as a material witness in the terrorist hijacking investigation. U.S. officials tell CNN there are still would be terrorists inside the United States, who may try to attack targets in the country. Some may be trained as pilots.

And if that isn't scary enough, officials say there may be other types of threats as well. A well-placed security source tells CNN that Atlanta, Boston and Richmond, Virginia also were also terrorist targets. The only specifics given were tall buildings and sports facilities.

While investigation continues, the nation mourned its dead today. You're looking now at live pictures of a candlelight vigil in Providence, Rhode Island. Similar services are being held around the country.

This is a national day of remembrance in honor of the thousands of victims of Tuesday's terror attacks. Former Presidents Ford, Carter, Bush and Clinton, joined President George W. Bush and the Reverend Billy Graham at this noontime memorial service in Washington.

The president then went to New York.

CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman joins me from ground zero near the World Trade Center with more on the President's visit and the continuing around the clock search for victims.

Gary, what's going on in New York now?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Greta, it's a fact that's very difficult to comprehend. More than 4,700 people are still missing. And the search continues for each and everyone of them right behind me. This is where the World Trade Center used to stand four blocks back there.

Now it's a cauldron. Fires continue to burn. The steam continues to billow. Rescue and recovery workers are still on scene as they've been since Tuesday. 1,000 to 2,000 working right now, but the search has been very disappointing. No survivors have been found over the last two days.

They do continue to find people who perished when the planes crashed through the World Trade Center. But even that has gone very slowly. More than 10,000 tons of rubble have been recovered. That's 20 million pounds, but it hasn't made much of a dent.

We look at it, and it still looks much the same. That gives you an idea of how much rubble was there.

There was a very special visitor, as you said before Greta today. The President of the United States, George W. Bush came to New York City, and that did raise the morale of the rescue workers, according to the workers we've talked today.

The president of the United States toured the area, got cheers from the rescue workers. They did shout, "USA, USA." He was with the mayor of New York City, the governor of New York state, and also New York's two Democratic senators, Charles Schumer and somebody he knows very well, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

And then we saw a very unusual site, the president of the United States mounting the top of the rubble and talking to all the workers with a megaphone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... America today is on bended knee in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go get them, George. BUSH: This nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: George, I can't hear you!

BUSH: I can hear you!

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people...

(APPLAUSE)

And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: President Bush arrived at the site shortly after the sun came out after 12 hours of heavy rain. The search is excruciatingly difficult, but it was very, very difficult from 2:00 a.m. this morning Eastern time until about 2:00 p.m. this afternoon Eastern time.

Monsoon-type rain and lots of thunder and lightning. And I have to tell you that thunder was psychologically difficult for many people in this area. It sounded like when the planes slammed into the buildings.

The same thing happened in Oklahoma City six years ago when they had the implosion of the building. That explosion psychologically scarred many people. And that was the scene. It also slowed down the search dramatically. It was very hard with all the rain, but now, they are back to full speed at the site, five blocks behind me.

Greta back to you.

SUSTEREN: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much for joining me from ground zero in New York. Now for the question everybody wants answered, what's being done to track down the would-be terrorists thugs who may be prowling around this country?

That is CNN national security correspondent David Ensor's department. And he joins me here in Washington.

David, we're hearing reports that there are other would-be terrorists in this country. What can you tell us?

DAVID ENSOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Greta. U.S. officials are telling me that they have evidence that there may still be some individuals in this country who would like to commit terrorist acts, who are looking for targets. They don't rule out that there may be pilots still in this country. And there are other threats they're also concerned about.

They won't go into any more detail than that, but they're forthright about saying that they are very concerned that there still could be terrorists waiting to try and commit terrorism inside this country.

And as all this is going on, of course, the President and his aides are trying to figure out how to build a coalition for what they are calling a war. Down the line, the President has acknowledged in directly, in some of what he's said today, there is going to have to be military action.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): The nation is angry about thousands of innocent deaths. U.S. officials say the evidence so far points to Osama Bin Laden's crowd. And the Bush administration is talking tough.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We will go after that group, that network, and those who have harbored, supported and aided that network to rip the network up. And when we're through with that network, we will continue with a global assault against terrorism in general.

ENSOR: But if it is Bin Laden, how to get at him and his top lieutenants? Some argue for giving Afghanistan's Taliban government an ultimatum. Turn him over or else.

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: We know where your ministries are. We know where your houses are. We're simply going to obliterate them from the face of the planet.

WILLIAM ODOM, GENERAL, FORMER NSA DIRECTOR: Bouncing that rubble with a lot of B-52 loads of bombs, I don't think is going to change Afghanistan all that much.

ENSOR: No, say most analysts in and out of government. If you want to rollup Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, it is going to take more than bomb, it will take ground troops.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: In order for us to preserve America and our way of life, we're going to have to sacrifice American treasure and unfortunately, in some cases, perhaps some American blood.

ENSOR: It is not just a question of grabbing or killing one man or even 20.

There are a dozen or more training camps, U.S. intelligence says, producing more terrorists, dedicated to killing Americans.

M.J. GOHEL, SECURITY & TERRORISM EXPERT: Revenge alone is not an answer. There has to be a complete eradication and elimination of all the training camps.

ENSOR: And much of Bin Laden's base of support is in neighboring Pakistan, through which money from around the Arab world is funneled to the Al-Qaeda coffers. It is a treacherous and dangerous area indeed.

ODOM: If you occupy troops for periods of time you change significantly for terrorists, I'm not sure if this country's ready to do that, even if it does have a fit of passion right now. And I'm not -- it may or may not make sense for the U.S. to do that in its larger interests.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: Bottom line, Greta, U.S. forces probably could, possibly could go into Afghanistan and get Bin Laden, but that might not end the terrorism.

SUSTEREN: David, the big issue of course in terms of the terrorism is, who's paying for it? Bin Laden has an awful lot of money. Has there been effort to sort of freeze and track his money to sort of at least cut his throat at that point?

ENSOR: Yes, there is indeed. In fact, a number of calls were made today and yesterday by senior officials in the administration, particularly at the State Department to other leaders around the region, moderate Arab leader, Pakistani leader and others, saying, "Look, we know that you've been turning a blind eye up until to certain payments by wealthy Muslims going to charities and other fronts for the Bin Laden organization." That must now stop.

You have to decide which side you are on. And U.S. officials are saying we have a -- we have ways and means of tracking this. And we will be doing it from now on. We want to see who's on our side. You must pick sides at this point on this matter of money -- Greta.

SUSTEREN: David Ensor, thank you from Washington.

Well, in the United States, patriotism is the order of the day. Flag sales are way up. Kmart and Wal-mart together, have sold more than a half million flags since Tuesday. And the U.S. military is gearing up for whatever orders are coming.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS WHITE, ARMY SECRETARY: Tuesday, September 11th has already been described in various newspapers and publications as the darkest day in American history. I would only say to our adversaries that I would warn to watch carefully for you're about to see our finest hour in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SUSTEREN: President Bush also is calling in the Reserves. After declaring a state of national emergency, the President authorized the Defense Department to call up as many as 50,000 military Reservists for "homeland defense."

Among the people suddenly making new plans are university professor Anne Knabe, who's a Reservist in public affairs. She joins me from Milwaukee. In San Antonio, Texas, is Dr. Jerry Greenfield, a Reservist and orthopedic surgeon. And here in Washington is Susan Borschel. She's a real-estate attorney who would be called up as an intelligence officer.

Anne, first to you, do you expect to be called up, and are you ready?

ANNE KNABE, RESERVIST: Yes, we're ready to go if indeed we would get the call. At this time, I don't know, but we're set.

SUSTEREN: Dr. Greenfield? Do you expect to be called and are you ready?

JERRY GREENFIELD, RESERVIST: I right now don't know if we'll be called, but I am ready and just await that call.

SUSTEREN: Susan Borschel, do you expect to be called and are you ready?

SUSAN BORSCHEL, RESERVIST: I expect that some point I would be called. And my family and I are ready for this.

SUSTEREN: Susan, what have you done to get ready?

BORSCHEL: I, first of all. made sure my children and husband who is prior military have an understanding of the kind of effect that this would have on the family. And I've tried to make sure that all arrangements have been made both at home and in office so that people could step in and it won't cause any -- or it will minimize the amount hardship on my family and the folks at the office that will need to cover for me.

SUSTEREN: Susan, how old are your children?

BORSCHEL: I have 9-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son.

SUSTEREN: And do they understand that you're in the Reserves and you may be called up?

BORSCHEL: Yes, my daughter obviously less so. My son who has shown a fervent sense of patriotism the last couple days, has a very clear understanding.

SUSTEREN: Anne, do you want to be called up?

KNABE: It's a difficult time for all of us. I signed a contract. I've been in 15 years. And if called, I'll be set to go. Obviously, it's a stressful time for any Reserve family. SUSTEREN: Are you scared, Anne?

KNABE: I have to admit earlier this week I was frightened with the uncertainty and not knowing what's going on. As the week's gone on, I've gotten much stronger. And just seeing my daughter, and the children in school, realizing if I'm called up, I'm fighting for freedom for them and the future of our country.

SUSTEREN: Dr. Greenfield, what are you doing to get ready?

GREENFIELD: I've been talking with my staff. My family is well aware of this. Actually, I served in Saudi Arabia and met my wife during Desert Storm. So she's well aware of what happens with the Reserves and with call-ups such as this.

But my staff at my office, my colleagues that I work with, my partners, are aware that I'm in the Reserves and this is always a possibility with this line of work. So they are prepared to take up the slack, as it were, if I have to go elsewhere to be of service.

SUSTEREN: Dr. Greenfield, do you have children?

GREENFIELD: I have three children.

SUSTEREN: And how old are your children?

GREENFIELD: I have a daughter who's 19 at in college at Cal- Berkeley, and I have a daughter who's six and a son who's five.

SUSTEREN: Have you talked to the -- at least the younger two? Do they understand what it means to be in the Reserves and be called up?

GREENFIELD: I think they're a little young to understand what it means to called up. They understand what it means to be in the Reserves only from he standpoint of daddy puts on a uniform and goes off somewhere every few weeks.

SUSTEREN: And, you know, how do you intend to prepare them if you do get called up? I mean, you are a doctor, and presumably your services might be needed in the worst of conditions?

GREENFIELD: Well, I think that they know what I do for a living. They know what the military is, and that I work in the military as a surgeon. So they understand that concept, at least at their level. So I don't think it would be a difficult job for them basically because they've known that for several years now.

SUSTEREN: Susan, what would you expect your job would you if you are called up?

BORSCHEL: I would probably report over to the Pentagon and work in the intelligence alert center with the joint Reserve intelligence unit. And I would be doing analytic work of intelligence that comes in to try to help interpret what's going on.

SUSTEREN: Susan, your reaction to the terrorism on Tuesday?

BORSCHEL: I'm aghast, and greatly saddened by it. I always had thought that I was safe in the United States, and having lived overseas and Europe for four years of the last 15 or so, I saw terrorism. I never experienced it, but I saw the impact and I always felt so safe whenever I came home. So I'm sickened, but I am also at the same time glad that it seems like the United States and the entire world has united on this. And I just -- it's almost too stunning to discuss what has happened this last week.

SUSTEREN: Dr. Greenfield, your reaction to what happened on Tuesday? And what do you want the President to do?

GREENFIELD: My reaction is I was shocked. I heard about this while I was in the operating room, actually doing surgery. So I wasn't able it see any of the video or the footage until much later in the day.

This is something that I've experienced. I took care of Marines that were injured in Beirut in 1983. I've lived in Germany during times of (UNINTELLIGIBLE). So this is -- it's disappointing and almost frightening that this comes to the United States, but it happens all over the world.

As a soldier, I do what the president says and don't try to tell him what to do. That's what diplomats do.

SUSTEREN: Dr. Greenfield, do you worry, though, I mean, because of occupation, do you worry that you're going to be put in the most dangerous situation? Do you worry you're going to die?

GREENFIELD: I think all of us if you think about it worry we're going to die every day when you get on public highways. The unit that I command is a forward surgical team. So it is stationed close to front lines in a conventional war. And this type of a conflict, there are no front lines. So everyone is at risk, whether you're in this country or whether you're abroad. So I think that everyone has a certain amount fear that you accommodate to.

SUSTEREN: Anne, any second thoughts about whether you should've gone into the Reserves or not?

KNABE: I've never had a second thought about it. It's one of the best things in my life and I'm extremely fortunate to have family and employer that backed me 100 percent with my commitment.

SUSTEREN: And your reaction, Anne, to the terrorism on Tuesday, when you heard it?

KNABE: It was very difficult for me to teach. In fact, I heard it going into school. I ended up canceling my afternoon class and going to my Reserve base to do volunteer duty. Just horrific. Just terrible.

SUSTEREN: Susan, any second thoughts about whether you should have gone into the Reserves sort of on the eve of perhaps getting called back into duty?

BORSCHEL: No, I've never had any doubts that what I did was right. I served on active duty. I actually was a Reservist first. I requested active duty, served for 11 years. And when I came out, I asked specifically for Reserve duty when that would not have been mandatory for me. And I think that it's been always an honor to serve the country.

I've enjoyed every assignment. I've enjoyed the people I've worked with and the places I traveled.

I regret that I may have to serve again under such ugly circumstances, but I have never regretted being in the Reserves. It's been great for me and family.

SUSTEREN: And a special thanks to my three guests tonight, Anne Knabe, Jerry Greenfield and Susan Borschel, and of course, all the other Reserves out there. We've heard it again and again, the fight against terrorism is America's new war, but is this a war like our parents and our grandparents fought?

CNN's senior analyst Jeff Greenfield is in New York with some thoughts on our national response to this crisis.

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: Thank you, Greta. We've just heard from three people who know full well what their response might be, but what about the rest of us?

I mean think about it. From the long lines at the blood banks, to the flags that have blossomed everywhere, to the declarations of strength, Americans are trying to find ways to say: "We'll stand together. We'll respond." But the harder question is, how?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941...

GREENFIELD: (voice-over): From the moment Franklin Roosevelt declared war, American men rushed to enlist and the home front swung into action as well. Women and children collected rubber. Civilians gave blood, scrap metal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you have wisely loaned money.

GREENFIELD: They bought bonds to fund the war. They painted their windows to foil and enemy air attack. And they rationed everything from food to gasoline, all in pursuit of unconditional surrender of clearly defined enemies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, it's an A-card. Three gallons.

GREENFIELD: There was also a less noble side to our response. Japanese-Americans were interned in camps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some among them were potentially dangered. GREENFIELD: They were targeted for abuse. In the first days after Pearl Harbor, major magazines aired features like this one: "How to Tell Your Friends From the Japs."

45 years later after World War II, the Gulf War brought a different kind of response, no draft, no home front discomfort, but a broad national show of support. And we knew what to do after the Oklahoma City bombing. The national mourning, the shared grief, exactly the right responses to a single, spasmodic act of madness.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

But what now? Do we rush to enlist? Do we draft our young to go to war? And if so, against whom? Do we share domestic home front discomfort and rationing? Do we need to? And what happens when the grieving ends? Knowing that there really is no closure here, but the apparent beginning of a struggle without borders and with any clear conclusion?

Greta and Wolf, you can see what the dilemma is. The spirit in this country is absolutely clear. People want to help. They want action. They want to respond. But it's up to our national leadership to tell us how in what must be not only one of the most difficult times in American history, but one of the most confusing.

SUSTEREN: Jeff, stand by for a second.

We have some late-breaking news that Jamie Mcintyre has learned from Pentagon sources that at least four U.S. Air Force jets scrambled to intercept the planes that hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but they arrived too late to intercept those two flights. So that's what CNN has learned from the Pentagon.

Let's bring Wolf Blitzer back into this discussion.

Wolf, obviously, almost terrifying news to learn that the Pentagon and World Trade Center it's a little bit too late with those fighter pilots to intercept the two flights.

BLITZER: You know, so much of what's happening right now, Greta, reminds me of the buildup to the Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm. We have one picture, I hope we have. It's a video of the U.S. hospital ship, the Comfort, which has now moved up the Atlantic Coast towards New York City.

Here it is with those huge red crosses on there. I remember when I was a Pentagon correspondent in 1990 and 1991. That was one of the first ships that was deployed from the East coast to the United States, not up the coast but towards the Persian Gulf, eventually wound up in the Persian Gulf.

It was preparing for an enormous number of U.S. casualties that were anticipated in the ground war and the air war. Fortunately, at that time, those casualties did not materialize. Once again seeing the U.S. USNS Comfort involved in a military-type situation. And Jeff, I just want to get a sense you from, my sense is this upcoming war against terrorism is not going to be as short as the Gulf War was. It's going to be a lot longer than that?

GREENFIELD: I think that's exactly right. I mean, there are two parts about that. The war was once again against a very clearly defined enemy in a very conventional situation, an aggressor who had invaded another country. The task was clear. And happily for the United States and its allies, it was, if not cost-free, far less costly than we thought.

Here you have a situation of a war, if that's what this is, a war on our own soil for the first time since the Civil War when we've already seen the kind of casualties that no one would have dreamt possible in some kind of conflict four days ago. And where if, in fact, the task is to root out nests of terrorism -- terrorists who are in how many countries, Wolf? Half a dozen? A dozen? We don't know. That is a long twilight struggle indeed.

SUSTEREN: You know, Jeff, it's interesting four days ago this was such a divided city in Washington, Republicans versus Democrat. There was going to be a big fight over the budget. And suddenly with one act of terrorism, you know, it's been such a unifying, you know, everyone walking together. It's such a different city here, Jeff?

GREENFIELD: Indeed Greta and Wolf. It seems to me it's a very good way of looking at how different a country it is. In that, once the Cold War ended, I think we felt not only that we were at some sort of end of big historical events, but that we were free to pursue essentially inconsequential stuff.

I mean, our newspapers were filled with what were the top grossing movies. Our television was who would be voted off island or who would be voted out of some house? It seems so astonishingly trivial. That was actually what we had won, after 50 years of the Cold War, the right not to think very seriously about the world. At least we thought we had that right. And it is quite clear now that we are not going to be in that situation for a very, very long time, if indeed ever.

SUSTEREN: Wolf, I'm curious, you covered the Pentagon for CNN during the Gulf War, and now here you are. Maybe we're going to war now. What's the difference?

BLITZER: The difference is it's a much different kind of war. That was a war to liberate Kuwait and the U.S. military had a plan. They knew how to execute it. They had an enormous amount of coalition partners, who were ready to get involved. This is a much more amorphous kind of war. You're not exactly sure where the enemies are. You're not exactly sure who they're. And you're not exactly sure how to fight this kind of war. It's a whole learning experience for the U.S. military. And it's going to be a long-drawn-out struggle. I have no doubt about it.

The past few days, I've spoken to numerous U.S. officials, intelligence officials, military officials. And they themselves are just trying to put together a plan.

GREENFIELD: I would make -- I'm sorry. Go ahead.

BLITZER: I should let you finish up.

GREENFIELD: One quick point, World war II came at the end of a Depression that was 10 years long. Americans had endured hard times before that war ever began. We are coming off basically decade after decade of a very peaceful and prosperous existence. And I think that makes the challenge all the greater.

SUSTEREN: And, of course, everyone's very angry.

BLITZER: Very angry. Just to put a little perspective on that. $40 billion appropriation, emergency appropriation that was approved unanimously by the U.S. Congress today, I don't believe anyone even mentioned that it might tap into the Social Security surplus.

SUSTEREN: And I think the President first wanted $20 billion and didn't they up it to $40 billion on the Hill.

BLITZER: All right, Greta Van Susteren and Jeff Greenfield. Thank you so much. Once again, CNN's coverage of America's new war continues in just a minute with "LARRY KING LIVE." We'll also be here over the weekend, keeping track of the events in New York, Washington, and indeed around the world.

From Washington, I'm Wolf Blitzer.

SUSTEREN: And I'm Greta Van Susteren. We leave you with another of today's unforgettable moments. President Bush and his White House predecessors at today's National Memorial Service in Washington.

(MUSIC)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

 Search   


Back to the top