Bush Meets With Freed Aid Workers

AP Yahoo ^ | Monday, November 26th, 2001 | SANDRA SOBIERAJ, Associated Press Writer

[2Jedismom]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush welcomed home two American aid workers held captive for three months by Afghanistan's Taliban, calling the women's experience ``a story of joy, story of hope.''

Bush met privately in the Oval Office with Heather Mercer, 24, and Dayna Curry, 30, who arrived in the United States Sunday. Vice President Dick Cheney was also on hand to welcome the women and their families to the White House.

The two women had only been trying to help people and ``their faith led them to Afghanistan,'' Bush told reporters in the Rose Garden.

Theirs ``is a wonderful story about prayer, about a faith that can sustain people in good times and in bad times,'' Bush said. ``Their faith was a source of hope that kept them from becoming discouraged. I talked to them right after their release, their freedom, and I sensed no bitterness in their voice, no fatigue, just joy. It was an uplifting experience for me to talk to these courageous souls.''

The two women, who worked for a private charity, were arrested Aug. 5 on charges of attempting to convert Muslim Afghans to Christianity. Standing at Bush's side Monday, they credited their release to prayer.

``I'll never be able to thank America and the different Christians around the world who prayed for us,'' said Curry.

``I think if we had a whole lifetime to say thank you we wouldn't do it right,'' said Mercer.

Both women talked of returning to Afghanistan - especially ``now that it's free and there is more openness to work with the women and children there than ever before,'' as Curry put it.

From the White House, the pair went shopping for an agent and new wardrobes before heading to New York City for the evening.

``Some people offered to buy us some clothes for some of our news interviews, which is such a blessing because we lost everything that we had,'' said Curry.

After their release Nov. 15, they described endless hours inside Taliban prisons and weeks without any contact with the outside world. To pass the tedium, they prayed, sang, exercised, washed their clothes, played cards and even killed flies. The boredom was broken by the thunder of the U.S. bombing raids in and around Kabul that began Oct. 7.

Mercer and Curry have been on a spiritual retreat in Germany since their release. A homecoming celebration is planned for Dec. 7-8 at Antioch Community Church near Waco, Texas, where they attended Baylor University.

For discussion purposes only

[Hazzardgate]

I think it must have been that CNN clymer 'Major Garret' as the next question says "To follow up on Major's question"...

I saw him on CNN bragging about how his children (age 8 & 11) don't know about what happened on 9/11, as he thought it might scar them. Yeahhhhhh rightttt they don't know Garret.

[folly]

Quote: "The problem is with the question: The press is still trying to A) Make it look like Cheney is not involved in the administration ... he's just hanging around basements;"

i don't know if i agree with that. most people i know, including others on this sight, think that cheney is the one who's really in charge.

Quote: "B) That there is no reason for the security and reasonable steps to ensure the progression of leadership should something happen to the President;"

The reporter merely asked if Cheney would remain hidden given the changing security climate now that the Taliban is falling. Bush deflected that question by saying that Cheney wasn't being hidden at all since he had breakfast with him. The administration has been sending mixed signals re: this for weeks. Apparently you believe that Cheney IS being kept separate from Bush for security reasons, thus validating that question.

and C) That perhaps the administration is using this situation "national security" to hide the fact that something is terribly wrong with Cheney and that's why he is not being seen.

i agree with you there. hey, the media pisses me off all the time, but i rather have an imperfect free press than the "perfect" ones that they have in places like afghanistan.

and i just wanted to add bravo regarding your response to annie, though i didn't believe she was trying to be malicious.

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks, folly - I wasn't. But I will refrain from asking questions of Hildy in the future.

[Hildy]

How dare you. I'm expected to answer an insulting question like that? I hope they don't pull this response as fast as they pulled my last response to you which had something to do with where I'd like you to go.

[Ligeia]

There is a link to watch the video at the Washington, D.C. NBC affiliate, WRC.

[anniegetyourgun]

Sorry to have asked a question. I'll not bother you again.

[The Energizer]

Thank you so much for posting this transcript.

[nancetc]

The media knows full well that for the majority of the time since 9/11 Cheney was being kept at a seperate location from Bush. The press doesn't care a wit about anything but their inane questions ala Rumsfield news conferences. I'm with you on the "pissing me off" by the media.

[wendelmyer]

thanks for the ping I did not get to see this on TV, however it was great to see it here. God is good!