Military

DATE=10-24-2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-282214

TITLE=BUSH TALEBAN (L)

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says U-S bombing in Afghanistan is not meant to harm the Afghan people. He says it is meant to punish the country's leaders for refusing to turn-over suspected terrorists. VOA's Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: President Bush says U-S military strikes in Afghanistan are targeting suspected terrorists and the Taleban government there that supports them. He says it is not a campaign against the Afghan people as U-S forces continue to drop food aid for civilians displaced by the fighting.

/// BUSH ACT ///

Our military is conducting a campaign to bring the terrorists to justice, not to harm the Afghan people. While we are holding the Taleban government accountable, we are also feeding Afghan people.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Bush says he gave Taleban leaders time to respond to his demands that they hand-over suspected terrorists and close terrorist training camps. They did not, and the President says Taleban leaders are now "paying a price."

The President says there is also a war on the homefront where investigators are pursuing those responsible for a series of letters contaminted with the deadly anthrax bacteria. Mr. Bush says there is still no direct evidence linking those letters with the attacks of September 11th but he says there is no question both attacks were motivated by evil and those responsible will be brought to justice.

/// SECOND BUSH ACT ///

Anybody who puts poison in mail is a terrorist. Anybody who tries to affect the lives of our good citizens is evil. I'm often times asked by our friends in the press, do I know if there is a direct connection between what took place on September the 11th and what's happening today. I have no direct evidence, but there are some links. Both series of actions are motivated by evil and hate. Both series of actions are meant to disrupt Americans way of life. Both series of actions are an attack on our homeland. And both series of actions will not stand.

/// END ACT ///

The President called on Congress to pass a financial stimulus package to help revive the U-S economy following the attacks. He wants more tax refunds for consumers, rebates for lower-income families, and changes in the tax law allowing businesses to deduct more of the costs of purchasing new equipment.(SIGNED)

NEB/PT