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America's New War: White House Likely Not to Accept Taliban's Decision

Aired September 20, 2001 - 06:04   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: we want to get reaction out of the White House. It is very early in the United States capital but Kelly Wallace is standing by there.

Kelly, this is not exactly what the Bush administration was looking for and hoping for.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: No, not exactly, Carol. And I just spoke with an administration official who said that the White House would not have any immediate comment but it's not likely to be satisfying or satisfactory really for the Bush administration.

As you know, President Bush and his top aides have been calling on the ruling Taliban militia to turn over Osama bin Laden. The U.S. for years, actually, has been calling on the Taliban to turn over Osama bin Laden who has already been indicted for, of course, a terrorist attack -- excuse me -- involved with the Africa bombings, so obviously not something that this administration will find pleasing.

Also, look at what the administration said yesterday when the Taliban said that it would like to negotiate with the U.S. over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. Then Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, saying now is not the time for negotiations it is the time for action.

So, Carol, not really likely to be a satisfactory response from the Bush administration. This administration definitely still going forward with what is considering a political, economic and a military campaign to find those responsible for these terrorist acts and also those harboring these terrorists -- Carol.

LIN: So when they're -- when you're saying that there isn't going to be a further conversation with the Taliban, what the Taliban is asking for specific evidence of Osama bin Laden's complicity in these terrorist attacks in the United States, the Bush administration is in no way planning on offering up any specific evidence?

WALLACE: At this point in time, the Taliban sort of extended that offer yesterday for some type of negotiation to go on between the U.S. and the Taliban -- some direct negotiation. As you know, the Pakistanis have been the ones who have gone over to the Taliban issuing this ultimatum saying turn over Osama bin Laden or face military action. As you heard from the White House yesterday, administration saying it's not interested at this point in time in negotiations, it wants actions. It is not, it does not appear, willing to display the evidence it has. It firmly believes that Osama bin Laden is the prime suspect and that his organization is involved, connected to those deadly terrorist attacks last week. So this not likely to be satisfactory for the Bush administration.

LIN: Got you. Well, the Taliban always warning that if the United States does strike in Afghanistan the Taliban is warning that there will be more terrorist strikes against Americans around the world. President Bush is addressing Congress tonight. How is he likely to address this specific threat?

WALLACE: Well certainly he will address that the United States still, of course, facing threats and is still on a high state of alert. His big message, though, Carol, will be one of patience, urging the American people to be patient, saying that the political, economic, military fight against terrorism will take time. In the words of the White House, he will say this will be a long campaign. So that will be his main message trying to urge the American people to be patient.

He is not, according to top aides, going to specify when a military retaliation will take place. As we've been reporting, we know that warplanes and troops have been starting to be moved and so obviously steps are being taken for some type of military retaliation. But this is not a speech to announce any military attack, it's more to explain and educate the American people about just how long this is going to take, the costs that are involved, a little bit more about who the president believes is behind this and also the focus of the administration to not only go after those deemed responsible for last week's attacks but also countries or organizations which harbor these terrorists -- Carol.

LIN: All right, thank you very much. Kelly Wallace working that story early at the White House.

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