Story Number: 330991

Title: US Bush

Tape Number: EF02/0172

Duration: 00:02:27

Intime: 00:15:04

Date: 2002-03-01

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot of Bush sitting at table during press conference
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush:
"We take the continuity of government issue seriously because our nation was under attack. And I still take the threats we receive from al-Qaida killers and terrorists very seriously. I have an obligation as the president and my administration has an obligation to the American people to put measures in place that should somebody be successful in attacking Washington, DC there is an ongoing government. That is one reason why the vice president was going to undisclosed locations. This is serious business. And we take it seriously."
3. Cutaway of reporters, pan over to wide shot of Bush
4. SOUNDBITE:(English) US President George W. Bush:
"We take every threat seriously. And until this country has routed out terrorists wherever they try to hide, we're not safe. I will tell you, there are people still in this world who want to harm America, and we're gonna chase them down, and it's gonna take awhile. But I'm a determined person. As I've told the American people, I'm not going to relent. I believe we've been called to history, to lead the world. I believe this great, strong, compassionate country has been given a unique moment, and I'm not going to miss the moment."
5. Pan from press to ws of Bush
6. SOUNDBITE:(English) US President George W. Bush:
"As far as Yemen goes, Yemen is a country that, I've had a very good discussion with the president of Yemen. I made it clear to him, as well as other presidents of nations, that you're either with us or you're not with us. And if you're with us, we expect results. I don't know if you remember my speech to the United Nations where I said, 'Thanks for all the condolences and flowers, now's the time for action.' And if you're part of our coalition, we expect you to work diligently and work hard to arrest al-Qaida killers, al-Qaida members or people who aid and abet al-Qaida, and the Yemen government is responding."
7. Wide shot of Bush

STORYLINE:

It was revealed on Friday that a "shadow US government" has been living and working secretly outside Washington DC since September 11.

The 75 or so senior White House officials have been relocated in case the US capital is crippled by a terrorist attack.

President George W. Bush said that he had an obligation to ensure the continuity of government, in light of al-Qaida threats.

A similar operation was conceived as a Cold War precaution against nuclear attack during the Eisenhower administration, but was never activated.

The scheme first went into effect just hours after the terrorist attacks on Washington DC and New York and has evolved over time.

A heightened fear that al Qaida terrorists might obtain a portable nuclear weapon kick-started the shadow government plan, sources said.

Bush declined to give details of the plan but he did say he was committed to a continued campaign against al-Qaida terrorists.

The American administration also hinted on Friday that US forces may equip and train Yemeni counter-terrorist forces.

Whitehouse representatives declined to comment on whether Bush had approved military aid to Yemen.

Bush did say that he had been in discussions with the country's President and that he expected the government to work diligently in order to track down terrorists.