Scott Pelley interview with the President: part 3--transcript

Scott Pelley: You must be frustrated, maybe angry. After a year, we still don’t have Osama Bin Laden?

President Bush: How do you know that? I don’t know whether Osama bin Laden is dead or alive. I don’t know that. He’s not leading a lot of parades. And he’s not nearly the hero that a lot of people thought he was. This is much bigger than one person anyway. This is — we’re slowly but surely dismantling and disrupting the al Qaeda network that, that hates America. And we will stay on task until we complete the task. I always knew this was a different kind of war, Scott. See, in the old days, you measure the size and the strength of the enemy by counting his tanks or his airplanes and his ships. This is an international manhunt. We’re after these people one at the time. They’re killers. Period.

Mr. Bush: If he were dead, there’s somebody else to replace him. And we would find that person. But slowly but surely, we will dismantle the al Qaeda network. And those who sponsor them and those who harbor them. And at the same time, hopefully lay the seeds for, the conditions necessary so that people don’t feel like they’ve got to conduct terror to achieve objectives.

Pelley: Do you look back on the Afghan campaign with any doubts? Certainly, we’ve overthrown the Taliban government. Certainly, al Qaeda has been scattered. But some of the Taliban leaders appear to have gotten away. And there have been many civilian casualties as well.

Mr. Bush: Uh huh. Well, you know, I am sad that civilians lost their life. But I understand war. We did everything we can to — everything we could to protect people. When civilians did die, it was because of a mistake. Certainly not because of intention. We liberated a country for which I’m extremely proud. No, — I don’t second guess things. It’s — things never go perfect in a time of war.

Pelley: There are those who have been vocal in their advice against war in Iraq. Some of our allies in the Gulf War, Saudi Arabia, Turkey for example. Even your father’s former national security advisor, Mr. Scowcroft has written about it in the paper. What is it in your estimation that they don’t understand about the Iraq question that you do appreciate?

Mr. Bush: The policy of the government is regime change, Scott, hasn’t changed. I get all kinds of advice. I’m listening to the advice. I appreciate the consultations. And we’ll consult with a lot of people but our policy hasn’t changed.

Pelley: I don’t think anyone would disagree with that, but at the same time, many in the Arab world are angry at the United States for political reasons because of our policy in Israel or our troops in the oil region of the Middle East. Is there any change in foreign policy that you’re considering that might reduce Arab anger against the United States.

Mr. Bush: Hmm. Well, I’m working for peace in the Middle East. I’m the first president that ever went to the United Nations and publicly declared the need to have a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace. I’ve made it clear that in order for there to be peace the Palestinians have gotta to get some leadership that renounces terror and believes in peaces and quits using the Palestinian people as pawns. I've also made it clear to the other Arab nations in the region that they’ve got responsibilities. If you want peace they gotta work toward it. We’re more than willing to work for it, but they have to work for it as well. But all this business isn’t going to happen as long as a few are willing to blow up the hopes of many. So we all gotta work to fight off terror.

Mr. Bush: Either, he’s, he’s been a complete failure as far as I am concerned. Utter disappointment.

Pelley: In fact, an appeals court recently was harsh about your administration’s decision to close certain deportation hearings. They said, quote, “A government operating in secrecy stands in opposition to the Constitution.” Where do you draw the line sir?

Mr. Bush: I draw the line at the Constitution. We will protect America. But we will do so on, within the guidelines of the Constitution, confines of the Constitution, spirit of the Constitution.

Pelley: Is there anything that the Justice Department has brought to you as an idea that you’ve thought, “No, that’s too far. I don’t wanna go…"

Mr. Bush: Nah, not that that I remember. And I am pleased with the Justice Department. I think that Attorney General’s doing a fine job, by the way...and to the extent that our courts are willing to make sure that they review decisions we make, I think that’s fine. I mean, that’s good. It’s healthy. It’s part of America.

Pelley: Franklin Roosevelt said that America should stand in defense of four freedoms. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Do we have that today Mr. President? Freedom from fear?

Mr. Bush: I think more than we did, in retrospect. The fact that we are on alert, the fact that we understand the new circumstances makes us more free from fear than on that fateful day of September the 11th. We’ve got more work to do.

Mr. Bush: I don’t think so. No. I think Americans oughta know their government’s doing everything possible to help. And obviously if we get information that relates directly a particular attack we’ll deal with it. And if we get noise that deals with a general attack, we’ll alert people. There are a lot of good folks working hard to disrupt and deny and run down leads. And the American people need to go about their lives. It seems like they are.

Well, I’m working for peace in the Middle East. I’m the first president that ever went to the United Nations and publicly declared the need to have a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace.

Hey, President Bush! We already have a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel mostly in peace. It consists of 2/3 the territory that used to be called Palestine. It's called Jordan.

But I understand war.

And I thank God he does.

Every once in a while I think what would have happened if Gore were president. I truly believe that 9/11 wouldn't be our only national day of morning.

Thank you so much! This program was very good -- the President came off as so strong, so honest, so real. I can't help but contrast it with his speech. His real delivery is so punchy, too bad his 'formal' delivery is sing-song to the point of hypnosis! I can't imagine anyone, watching this, not admiring him and being glad he is our President. I will be surprised if his ratings don't go up as a result.

I just finished watching 60 Minutes for the first time in 15 years, and it was worth the wait. This is a president that a man, and a woman, can take orders from, one who you respect. It is in his eyes......for although he has never seen the Dogs of War unleashed firsthand, he has that thousand yard stare that you need in a leader.

But he also has passion, and compassion, and he knows why he goes about his job. It is not about justice or revenge.....he knows his job is to make sure that it never happens again.

I completely agree with your comments. I do not fashion Bush as a superb poker player, sarcasm. He is not one to hide his true feelings. I admire the resolve and honesty in which he handles himself. I am very glad he is our President!

I liked the part where W said no "tin horn terrorist was going to keep him out of Washington" Then the part about kicking a$$. Followed by him ordering the hamburger and going on with his job.

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