Military

DATE=10/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH TERRORISM WRAP (L)

NUMBER=2-281646

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says America has a new line of assault on terrorism. During a visit to F-B-I headquarters, he unveiled a "most wanted" list of 22 terrorists. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports the President says publicity surrounding the list may help bring these men to justice.

TEXT: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has kept a "most wanted" list of criminal suspects for decades. Law enforcement officials say it is important tool because it raises public awareness.

Now, the F-B-I is applying this tool to the war on terrorism. President Bush says the goal is find, stop and punish the 22 most dangerous terrorists in the world.

////BUSH ACT////

Terrorists try to operate in the shadows. They try to hide. But we are going to shine the light of justice on them.

////END ACT////

The President made the announcement at the F-B-I headquarters building in Washington, surrounded by posters bearing the images of those on the "most wanted" list.

///BUSH ACT///

This effort is part of a world wide campaign assault on terror. All of our allies and friends will now be familiar with these evil doers.

////END ACT///

Osama bin Laden tops the list. Two of his top deputies and several other members of his al-Qaida organization are also among the "most wanted."

The Bush administration appears to be increasingly concerned the suspected terrorist mastermind may be using the western media to deliver coded messages to his followers. At about the same time the President was appearing at the F-B-I, his national security advisor was discussing these concerns with broadcast news executives.

White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer says Condoleezza Rice asked American television networks not to air any videotaped messages from Osama bin Laden in their entirety.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

The concern here is not allowing terrorists to receive what might be a message from Osama bin Laden calling on them to take any actions.

////END ACTION////

The White House also moved Wednesday to deal with an issue involving the news media and congress.

President Bush was angered late last week when highly sensitive information from a briefing to members of Congress ended up in the Washington Post. He directed top officials to limit their top-secret briefings to eight senior members of the legislature.

The decision caused an uproar on Capitol Hill. Congressional leaders made their case for greater access during an early morning meeting Wednesday with the President.

They achieved a truce. The President agreed to back off on his order. The Senate Majority Leader - - Democrat Tom Daschle - - said members of Congress were on notice not to disclose any classified information.

////DASCHLE ACT////

I think it is clear to all of us when information that is sensitive to our operation - - sensitive in terms of national security - - when that information is leaked it does serious damage.

////END ACT////

There were far fewer tensions Wednesday when the President met with NATO General Secretary George Robertson. Mr. Bush praised NATO as the cornerstone of a broader coalition against terrorism, and thanked the alliance for its decision to send five aircraft to the United States to help with surveillance along the east coast. (signed)

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