America At War:
The White House
With Jim Wilkinson
Deputy Director of Communications
Friday, Jan. 18, 2002; Noon EST

Over the past few months, sustained attacks by U.S. forces have left al Qaeda training camps in ruin and wrenched control of Afghanistan from the Taliban. But with the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Muhammed Omar still unknown and the possibility of smaller sleeper cells in hiding, the White House is still focusing on the terrorist threat.

Jim Wilkinson, Deputy Director of Communications and Director of the Coalition Information Center at The White House, was online to take questions and comments on the war against terrorism.

Prior to joining the White House, Wilkinson was Communications Director at the National Republican Congressional Committee and worked on Capitol Hill for House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Montreal, Canada: The Afghan war is nearly over but we have not gotten bin Laden nor Mullah Omar. How would you rate this campaign after all? I don't see we really have been successful after the architect of terror is still large.

Jim Wilkinson: There is still a lot of work to do in Afghanistan but we clearly have had a great success. The President has led a worldwide coalition that has destroyed al Qaeda's grip on Afghanistan by driving the Taliban from power. We have disrupted al Qaeda's global operations and terrorist financing networks. We have helped the innocent people begin to recover from the al Qaeda terrorist regime by supplying food, medical supplies and other key supplies. And the President's diplomatic team helped Afghans put aside long standing differences to form an interim government that includes women. However, there is much work left to do. Bin Laden, Omar and others are hiding but as the President has said, they are in for a change of plans.

Alexandria, Va.: Yesterday a Palestinian suicide attacker killed four people at a wedding celebration in the city of Hadera in Israel. The Washington Post reported on its Web site that:

"The Al Aqsa Brigades, a militia linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah, claimed responsibility."

Does the White House consider Yasser Arafat's Fatah organization to be a terrorist group?

washingtonpost.com: Israeli Celebration Turns Tragic (Post, Jan. 18, 2002)

Jim Wilkinson: I would have to refer you to the State Department on this question.

Center, Tex.: I think we sometimes give out too much information on our next course of action. I think the United States should really monitor what we are broadcasting to the public. I am sure they have plants here to monitor our plans and are reporting back. I like the element of surprise.

Jim Wilkinson: Hello Center. I am from Tenaha so good to talk to you.

The President, Secretary Rumsfeld, Secretary Powell, Prime Minister Blair and others have done a good job of ensuring that important factual information on the campaign reaches all parts of the globe. It is important that people know about the terrorists' vision they hope to export to the world -- a vision where women are not allowed to visit a doctor without a male present or allowed to go to school. And a vision where children are beaten for flying kites. That said, DOD and the rest of the national security team take great pains to protect classified information to ensure that our operational security is protected. This is the first war that truly has no news cycle and we know that both our friends and our enemies are watching everything we do.

Richmond, Va.: President Bush has started to discuss domestic issues recently. What should America and the world infer from this measured shift away from three months of focused terrorist talk by the President?

Jim Wilkinson: The President focuses every day on the war on terrorism but he also focuses every day on ways to get our economy booming again. The terrorist didn't just attack our citizens -- they also attacked our economy. The President will continue to travel and continue to highlight his economic growth agenda that will create jobs, lower taxes and put unemployed workers back to work again. The President has a very strong Cabinet and he gives them the authority to do their jobs so he is free to both win the war on terrorism and win the battle to get the American economy moving again.

Washington, D.C.: My question is two-fold. If Osama Bin Laden is found and captured, why wouldn't this end the mission and lead to withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Afghan region? Why isn't the U.S. using its standing and influence to put an immediate stop to threats of war between India and Pakistan?

Jim Wilkinson: As the President has said, this war is larger than Bin Laden. Every day we learn more and more about the terrorist training camps and about other terrorist cells around the globe. As a point of reference consider the video that the Justice Department released yesterday. The President is leading a worldwide coalition to help rid the world of terrorism. This won't be easy and the war will continue long after Bin Laden is no more. As for India and Pakistan, the President and Secretary Powell are working to ensure peace in the region. Secretary Powell is currently on travel there and the news reports look like his diplomatic efforts are being very effective.

Arlington, Va.: How will the Coalition Information Center's role change if the fight against terrorism moves away from Afghanistan into another part of the world? Will other bureaus need to be opened up? Will some be closed? Thank you.

Jim Wilkinson: As the President has said, this war is different than other wars in our history. For example, this is the first war that is covered around the clock by several cable television outlets (in many countries). And this is the first war in our history with the strong presence of the Internet. Not sure yet about what is next but I can tell you that the operation we have created to coordinate information is flexibile enough to adapt to a changing situation.

Washington, D.C.: With all of the reports, tips, leads, etc. that flows into the White House there is obviously an information overload. What is the process of determining relevant information and transmitting this to the President?

Jim Wilkinson: The National Command Authority, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Secretary Powell, Secretary Rumsfeld, Secretary Card, and other key Cabinet and staff members such as Karen Hughes and Karl Rove work with the President on this type of information.

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: What is America doing to ensure that all the countries who are interested in assisting in your war on terror get to make a significant contribution?

Jim Wilkinson: Since Day 1 the President has met and talked with countless foreign leaders on important issues. And after September 11 the President has continued to meet and talk to leaders from every corner of the globe to ensure that they know what this war is about and to make sure that their valuable contributions can happen. It is very important to remember that on September 11 the terrorist didn't just attack America -- they attacked the world. Citizens from more than 80 countries died in the attacks and countless more have died under the terrorists regimes of fear, death and destruction. I would point out that Canada has made very important contributions to the war on terrorism and our operation has met with and continues to work closely with your embassy here in Washington. You are well represented here with a fine staff who are committed to ensuring that the terrorists' frightening vision becomes, as the President has said, relegated to history's unmarked graves of discarded lies.

Reston, Va.: Hello Jim,

Is the White House going to support our petition to the Federal Communications Commission (item RM-10330) calling for the protection of civilian telecommunications from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) terrorist attacks?
Thank you for your attention to this homeland defense issue.

Jim Wilkinson: I am not up to date on this issue. I would encourage you to check with the Office of Homeland Security which the President established to help protect America from terrorist and other threats. Sorry I don't have more on this one for you.

Washington, D.C.: How does the White House view the Washington Post report that Saudi officials may requests America withdraw its military presence from the country?

washingtonpost.com: Saudis May Seek U.S. Exit (Post, Jan. 18, 2002)

Jim Wilkinson: I would refer you to comments in this morning's papers by Assistant Secretary of Defense Torie Clarke. As Assistant Secretary Clarke said, we have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia and we will continue to work with them in as cooperative a fashion as possible as we go forward.

Gainesville, Va.: Many people are automatically assuming that greater security against terrorism will mean more restrictions on individual freedoms, e.g. being treated like criminals at our own airports. Since U.S. taxpayers are paying outrageous amounts of money to have a government that can protect us without impinging on our freedom, what do you think should be done with the bureaucracies that have evolved that allowed the events of Sept 11 to occur?

Jim Wilkinson: The Office of Homeland Security is working diligently to ensure that our government coordinates closely to help protect Americans. As for airport security, the President has signed into law his aviation security agenda that puts in place tough new security standards, fortifies cockpits and makes other important security reforms. The President's plan preserves individual liberties while ensuring that we leave no stone unturned in stopping terrorists who seek to use our airplanes as weapons. As a side note, I was in several airports over the holiday season and while the lines were long at the ticket counter and security stations, people were not complaining. I didn't complain when they asked me to take my shoes off because I am positive it was a worse experience for the person checking the shoes than me. :)

Chaska, Minn.: What exactly does the Coalition Information Center do?

Jim Wilkinson: The President thinks it is important to constantly remind the world of the evil the terrorists hope to export to every corner of the world. That said, there needs to be a mechanism in place to coordinate all the different government agencies and allies that are involved in the war on terrorism. Our operation helps to coordinate the message. For example, the CIC's -- we have on operation here in Washington, Tucker Eskew is the White House communications official in our London Office, and Greg Jenkins was the WH communications official in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- include DOD, State, Treasury and other key agency representatives. If you remember the initiative led by First Lady Laura Bush to highlight the Taliban oppression of women, that was managed jointly by the CIC in Washington, the CIC in London and the CIC in Pakistan. Having close relations with, for example Prime Minister Blair's staff in the UK, and having senior White House staff like Tucker Eskew deployed forward, allows us instant feedback from every corner of the globe.

Jim Wilkinson: I have to go back to work. Thank you all for your questions. The President and Members of Congress from both parties are united in the drive to combat terrorism and the President and First Lady appreciate all of the support you have given them during these difficult times.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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