Military

DATE= 10/15/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / AL-JAZEERA (L)

NUMBER=2-281844

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gives an interview later today (Tuesday) to the Arabic satellite television channel al-Jazeera. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports on Monday, White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice went before al-Jazeera cameras.

TEXT: It is all part of an effort by the Bush administration to get its message to an Arabic-language audience in the Middle East.

In interviews with al-Jazeera, Bush administration officials are stressing a common theme: that the United States is fighting terrorism, not Islam or the Arab people.

Condoleezza Rice told an al-Jazeera reporter this is a fight against evil people who willingly take the lives of civilians in terrorist attacks against office buildings or the Pentagon. She said Islam is a peaceful religion that respects human life.

Ms. Rice was also asked about America's role in the Mideast peace process. She outlined existing Bush administration policy, including the belief that a Palestinian state could emerge from a peace agreement if there is also respect for Israel's right to exist.

Before she taped the interview with al-Jazeera, Condoleezza Rice took part in a question and answer session with White House reporters. She was asked why so many top administration officials had agreed to speak to the Arabic satellite television channel.

///RICE ACT///

We do think it is important that we get our message out to Arab publics and we know this is a network that is very popular with Arab publics.

///END ACT////

In recent weeks the White House has been critical of al-Jazeera for running long videotaped statements from suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden or spokesmen for his al-Qaida organization. But during her interview, Ms. Rice said she would not appear on al-Jazeera if she did not respect it.

Al-Jazeera has a request pending for an interview with President Bush. It is unclear if the White House will agree, or will let other officials continue to speak for the administration. (signed)

NEB/PW/RH