Military

DATE=11/26/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / AFGHANISTAN (L)

NUMBER=2-283537

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: THE TEXT OF THE INTRO ON THIS SPOT HAS BEEN CUT DOWN FROM THE AUDIO VERSION ///

INTRO: President Bush says U-S marines are being deployed in Afghanistan to find those responsible for the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House.

TEXT: President Bush says the core objective of the military operation in Afghanistan is to track down al-Qaida terrorists and their supporters. He says that is the mission of the U-S marines now arriving in southern Afghanistan.

///BUSH ACT////

We are smoking them out...they are running...and now we are going to bring them to justice.

////END ACT///

He says it will not be easy and it will take time.

///BUSH ACT TWO///

We have got a long way to go in order to achieve our objective in this theater. But we are patient. We are resolved. And we will stay the course until we achieve our objective.

////END ACT////

The President spoke after a meeting at the White House with two American aid workers recently rescued from Afghanistan. A brief appearance in the White House rose garden turned into a press conference, with reporters asking the President about next steps in the war on terrorism.

Mr. Bush used the opportunity to put Iraq on notice. For the first time, he said a country that seeks weapons of mass destruction could be seen as a nation that aids terrorists.

///BUSH ACT THREE///

If they develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable.

///END ACT///

President Bush called on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to let U-N weapons inspectors back into his country. Asked what would happen if Saddam Hussein refused, Mr. Bush replied simply "he'll find out." (signed)

NEB/KBK