Washington Week Show - # 4308
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text : Kofi Annan says "We should not be distracted nor deterred by this senseless and brutal act of violence." Aftermath after terrorist bombing, American soldier motioning to people to "back up," puts hand in front of camera lens; night footage aftermath of suicide bombing in Jerusalem, destroyed bus, man running with injured young girl, ambulance driving away from camera, (daytime) men use fire extinguishers on car that is engulfed in flames, (night) victims lying in street, one man doing CPR. Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI agents, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gray Davis.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Gwen Ifill recaps two deadly bombings in Iraq and Israel, how it affects US and Middle East peace plans. Martha Raddatz details the impact of the terrorist bombings. Bob Drogin on the acts, US Intelligence and security in the region. Martha Raddatz notes there is a worry the bombings show signs of terror groups linking together in an area (Iraq) that is becoming a breeding ground from extremist groups.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Jeanne Cummings wonders if the President and White House may be feeling uneasy at the level of instability in the region considering that foreign policy has been a strength for him and something he would run on for re-election. Bob Drogin notes that when U.S. has gone to the UN for help, old arguments arise about the legitimacy of the conflict and the refusal of other nations to send their troops to replace the US casualties. Gwen Ifill states the question of whether more US soldiers in Iraq may have prevented this attack from taking place. President George W. Bush: "We do need and welcome more foreign troops into Iraq and there will be more foreign troops into Iraq. And what that'll do is that'll enable many of those troops to guard the infrastructure". The US is making a point of asking for more international troops and not adding more US soldiers.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell speaking, standing next to U.N. Chief Kofi Annan: "The end of the road map is a cliff that both sides will fall off of, and so we have to understand the consequences of the end of the road map. So, it is not the end of the road map, I believe both parties understand that a way has to be found to go forward." Gwen Ifill shifts the discussion to the extremely difficult position President Bush is in as the chances for Middle East peace look dire. Martha Raddatz, Bob Drogin, Jeanne Cummings, and Gloria Borger all share their input into the situation between Israel, the Palestinians, and Hamas.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Jeanne Cummings stipulates that many past Presidents have failed to bring peace to the Middle East, but it will be more damning if President Bush can't bring peace to Iraq or accomplish the original mission as this was purely his "baby." Perhaps the tide can be turned with the capture of Saddam Hussein, although not all the panelists are in complete agreement.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Attorney General John Ashcroft says, "Two years later the evidence is clear. If we knew then what we know now we would have passed the Patriot Act six months before September 11th, rather than six weeks after the attacks." Gloria Borger discusses the defense of the Patriot Act by the White House who are hearing opposition not only from Democrats, but from certain conservative Republicans and Libertarians as well.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Jeanne Cummings wonders why Attorney General John Ashcroft is defending the Patriot Act and not the President. Gloria Borger points out that the Attorney General has more appeal to the conservative base that needs to be re-assured. She also outlines what happens next with the Patriot Act and how things may play out in Congress.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Gwen Ifill discusses the California recall elections. Jeanne Cummings details how much money is being raised in this elections and how the rules play out in a way that really confuses people and may not even matter in this particular election (re-call election are exempt).
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Jeanne Cummings confirms that despite all the money raised and the big names in the California gubernatorial recall election, there is no sure way to know which way the election will sway. The special election has been unpredictable with who the election will come down to.
Washington Week Show - # 4308
Gwen Ifill thanks her panel, wraps up the show. End credits.