Military

DATE=10/04/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH AFGHANISTAN AID (L)

NUMBER=2-281353

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says the United States will provide 320 million dollars in aid to the people of Afghanistan and to neighboring countries facing an influx of Afghan refugees. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush made the announcement during an appearance at the State Department.

TEXT: President Bush says America firmly opposes Afghanistan's Taleban rulers. But, he says, the United States will do all it can to help the Afghan people.

////BUSH ACT////

America will stand strong and will oppose the sponsors of terror. And America will stand strong and help those people who are hurt by those regimes.

////END ACT/////

He says there is no compassion in the United States for terrorists, but there is compassion for those who face extreme hardship through no fault of their own.

///BUSH ACT TWO///

We will fight evil. But in order to overcome evil the great goodness of America must come forth and shine forth. And one way to do so is to help the poor souls in Afghanistan.

///END ACT///

The President's aid package includes 295 million dollars in new humanitarian assistance for Afghans facing drought, famine and the threat of war. An additional 25 million comes from an existing emergency fund for refugees.

Mr. Bush says the money will be used to buy food, medicine and other supplies. International aid agencies will handle the distribution. And assistance will be offered both in Afghanistan and in surrounding countries coping with large numbers of Afghan refugees.

////BUSH ACT THREE///

We will make sure that not only the folks in Afghanistan who need help get help, but we will help those who have fled to neighboring countries to get help as well.

////END ACT////

President Bush also used his trip to the State Department to thank America's diplomats for their efforts to build an international coalition to fight terrorism. (START OPT) He said there has been progress, making specific mention of efforts to cut off the flow of money to terrorists, and collect information on their whereabouts.

////BUSH ACT FOUR////

This is a war between good and evil. And we have made it clear to the world that we will stand strong on the side of good and we expect other nations to join us.

////END ACT (END OPT)////

The President is continuing to engage in personal diplomacy on a daily basis. He conferred by telephone with the President of Poland and the emir of Bahrain before his speech at the State Department. He returned to the White House to prepare for meetings with Mexico's President and the emir of Qatar. (Signed)

NEB/PW/MAR