Dick Cheney on the war on Afghanistan, the Taliban | 60 Minutes Archive

>> With the Taliban on the run, city after >> With the Taliban on the run, city after Afghan city falling, the circle Afghan city falling, the circle Afghan city falling, the circle tightening around Osama bin Laden, and tightening around Osama bin Laden, and tightening around Osama bin Laden, and Americans still jittery about terrorism, Americans still jittery about terrorism, Americans still jittery about terrorism, what better time to hear what's on the what better time to hear what's on the what better time to hear what's on the mind of Vice President Dick Cheney? mind of Vice President Dick Cheney? mind of Vice President Dick Cheney? He hasn't been in public much at all, He hasn't been in public much at all, He hasn't been in public much at all, and most of what we hear about him is and most of what we hear about him is and most of what we hear about him is when he's taken into hiding in case of when he's taken into hiding in case of when he's taken into hiding in case of terrorist attack. terrorist attack. terrorist attack. But the Vice President has a lot to say But the Vice President has a lot to say But the Vice President has a lot to say about the war, abroad and at home, and about the war, abroad and at home, and about the war, abroad and at home, and he said it to Gloria Borger, our CBS he said it to Gloria Borger, our CBS he said it to Gloria Borger, our CBS News Correspondent, who sat down with News Correspondent, who sat down with News Correspondent, who sat down with him in his office this morning. him in his office this morning. him in his office this morning. >> Mr. Vice President, how would you >> Mr. Vice President, how would you >> Mr. Vice President, how would you describe the state of the Taliban right describe the state of the Taliban right describe the state of the Taliban right now? now? now? >> I think they're in terrible shape, >> I think they're in terrible shape, >> I think they're in terrible shape, frankly. They're uh frankly. They're uh frankly. They're uh the military campaign, I think, has been the military campaign, I think, has been the military campaign, I think, has been enormously successful. And we've seen uh enormously successful. And we've seen uh enormously successful. And we've seen uh them lose uh them lose uh them lose uh uh control over uh the vast part of uh control over uh the vast part of uh control over uh the vast part of Afghanistan. They controlled about 90% Afghanistan. They controlled about 90% Afghanistan. They controlled about 90% of it uh a couple of months ago. of it uh a couple of months ago. of it uh a couple of months ago. And today, they've been driven out of And today, they've been driven out of And today, they've been driven out of most of the major cities. Their military most of the major cities. Their military most of the major cities. Their military capability also has been enormously capability also has been enormously capability also has been enormously affected. The uh air campaign that uh affected. The uh air campaign that uh affected. The uh air campaign that uh General Franks ran against the Taliban General Franks ran against the Taliban General Franks ran against the Taliban uh I think was devastating. They had no uh I think was devastating. They had no uh I think was devastating. They had no idea what was going to happen to them.

idea what was going to happen to them. idea what was going to happen to them. And uh once that happened, of course, And uh once that happened, of course, And uh once that happened, of course, and the the uh and the the uh and the the uh Northern Alliance then began to move, Northern Alliance then began to move, Northern Alliance then began to move, the Taliban really has collapsed. the Taliban really has collapsed. the Taliban really has collapsed. They're a far less formidable force They're a far less formidable force They're a far less formidable force today than they were. today than they were. today than they were. >> So, if you had to say they were >> So, if you had to say they were >> So, if you had to say they were retreating or regrouping, which would it retreating or regrouping, which would it retreating or regrouping, which would it be? be? be? >> I think they're still in headlong >> I think they're still in headlong >> I think they're still in headlong retreat. So, another key point to make retreat. So, another key point to make retreat. So, another key point to make here, I I think, Gloria, is that um here, I I think, Gloria, is that um here, I I think, Gloria, is that um this shows what the President meant when this shows what the President meant when this shows what the President meant when he we talked about what's come to be he we talked about what's come to be he we talked about what's come to be known as the Bush Doctrine, the fact known as the Bush Doctrine, the fact known as the Bush Doctrine, the fact that if you harbor terrorists, if you that if you harbor terrorists, if you that if you harbor terrorists, if you provide sanctuary for terrorist provide sanctuary for terrorist provide sanctuary for terrorist organization, organization, organization, uh you will pay the price. And uh that uh you will pay the price. And uh that uh you will pay the price. And uh that lesson, I think, has been driven home lesson, I think, has been driven home lesson, I think, has been driven home very effectively. Anybody out there very effectively. Anybody out there very effectively. Anybody out there tonight, any government who might have tonight, any government who might have tonight, any government who might have had uh aspirations to harbor terrorist had uh aspirations to harbor terrorist had uh aspirations to harbor terrorist uh uh uh has to look at what happened to the has to look at what happened to the has to look at what happened to the Taliban and probably reconsider their Taliban and probably reconsider their Taliban and probably reconsider their position. position. position. >> Events, it seems, unfolded an awful lot >> Events, it seems, unfolded an awful lot >> Events, it seems, unfolded an awful lot more quickly than many people expected more quickly than many people expected more quickly than many people expected in Afghanistan. And we've we've just a in Afghanistan. And we've we've just a in Afghanistan. And we've we've just a day or so ago seen photographs of day or so ago seen photographs of day or so ago seen photographs of summary executions by the Northern summary executions by the Northern summary executions by the Northern Alliance. Are you worried that this Alliance. Are you worried that this Alliance. Are you worried that this could get a bit out of control?

could get a bit out of control? could get a bit out of control? >> We've done everything we can to >> We've done everything we can to >> We've done everything we can to discourage it. We've talked with the discourage it. We've talked with the discourage it. We've talked with the commanders and emphasized to them how commanders and emphasized to them how commanders and emphasized to them how important it is that they retain control important it is that they retain control important it is that they retain control of their forces. I think so far, for the of their forces. I think so far, for the of their forces. I think so far, for the most part, they have. That doesn't mean most part, they have. That doesn't mean most part, they have. That doesn't mean there aren't isolated instances there aren't isolated instances there aren't isolated instances where, in fact, the prisoners have been where, in fact, the prisoners have been where, in fact, the prisoners have been executed. executed. executed. There's not much we can do about that. There's not much we can do about that. There's not much we can do about that. But no one should be surprised if, in But no one should be surprised if, in But no one should be surprised if, in fact, there are some uh fact, there are some uh fact, there are some uh uh some very painful consequences in the uh some very painful consequences in the uh some very painful consequences in the aftermath of capturing some of these aftermath of capturing some of these aftermath of capturing some of these cities. cities. cities. >> Can the Northern Alliance finish this >> Can the Northern Alliance finish this >> Can the Northern Alliance finish this war, or will America have to put a war, or will America have to put a war, or will America have to put a substantial number of troops on the substantial number of troops on the substantial number of troops on the ground to do it? ground to do it? ground to do it? >> I think you've got to remember what our >> I think you've got to remember what our >> I think you've got to remember what our objectives are in Afghanistan. objectives are in Afghanistan. objectives are in Afghanistan. Uh we got involved in this exercise Uh we got involved in this exercise Uh we got involved in this exercise because they were providing sanctuary because they were providing sanctuary because they were providing sanctuary for Osama bin Laden. for Osama bin Laden. for Osama bin Laden. Our target has been bin Laden, and been Our target has been bin Laden, and been Our target has been bin Laden, and been the al-Qaeda network that he organizes. the al-Qaeda network that he organizes. the al-Qaeda network that he organizes. When the Taliban refused to produce him, When the Taliban refused to produce him, When the Taliban refused to produce him, then they became a target as well. then they became a target as well. then they became a target as well. Um so, in in the final analysis, what we Um so, in in the final analysis, what we Um so, in in the final analysis, what we want to have happen here is to have a want to have happen here is to have a want to have happen here is to have a an end to the conflict, an end to the an end to the conflict, an end to the an end to the conflict, an end to the years of civil war that have raged in years of civil war that have raged in years of civil war that have raged in the country.

the country. the country. >> But what about ground troops? What will >> But what about ground troops? What will >> But what about ground troops? What will that take? that take? that take? >> I uh >> I uh >> I uh don't want to make forecast one way or don't want to make forecast one way or don't want to make forecast one way or the other as to what the United States the other as to what the United States the other as to what the United States will or won't do with respect to future will or won't do with respect to future will or won't do with respect to future military operations. military operations. military operations. Uh it's not helpful to uh signal in Uh it's not helpful to uh signal in Uh it's not helpful to uh signal in advance what your plans might be, or advance what your plans might be, or advance what your plans might be, or will or won't be with respect to our will or won't be with respect to our will or won't be with respect to our adversaries. We have not had to put a adversaries. We have not had to put a adversaries. We have not had to put a large US force on the ground in large US force on the ground in large US force on the ground in Afghanistan to achieve these results. Afghanistan to achieve these results. Afghanistan to achieve these results. Uh we are prepared to do whatever is Uh we are prepared to do whatever is Uh we are prepared to do whatever is necessary in order to achieve the necessary in order to achieve the necessary in order to achieve the objectives we laid out. objectives we laid out. objectives we laid out. >> You get daily intelligence briefings on >> You get daily intelligence briefings on >> You get daily intelligence briefings on this war. Can you tell us this war. Can you tell us this war. Can you tell us what the profilers are telling you about what the profilers are telling you about what the profilers are telling you about Osama bin Laden's state of mind right Osama bin Laden's state of mind right Osama bin Laden's state of mind right now? >> Difficult. I can speculate, but it's >> Difficult. I can speculate, but it's it's rank speculation. And sometimes the it's rank speculation. And sometimes the it's rank speculation. And sometimes the >> Go right ahead. >> Go right ahead. >> Go right ahead. >> Uh, you obviously, if you were Osama bin >> Uh, you obviously, if you were Osama bin >> Uh, you obviously, if you were Osama bin Laden today or Mullah Omar, leader of Laden today or Mullah Omar, leader of Laden today or Mullah Omar, leader of the Taliban, leader of Al-Qaeda, I think the Taliban, leader of Al-Qaeda, I think the Taliban, leader of Al-Qaeda, I think you'd have to be very very nervous. You you'd have to be very very nervous. You you'd have to be very very nervous. You can in effect see your organizations can in effect see your organizations can in effect see your organizations pounded from a military standpoint.

pounded from a military standpoint. pounded from a military standpoint. You've seen a significant casualties You've seen a significant casualties You've seen a significant casualties inflicted. You've seen that area that inflicted. You've seen that area that inflicted. You've seen that area that you thought was a sanctuary inside you thought was a sanctuary inside you thought was a sanctuary inside Afghanistan where you could hide and Afghanistan where you could hide and Afghanistan where you could hide and launch terror attacks outside the launch terror attacks outside the launch terror attacks outside the country disappear as the Northern country disappear as the Northern country disappear as the Northern Alliance has moved in and and the Alliance has moved in and and the Alliance has moved in and and the Taliban has lost control of the Taliban has lost control of the Taliban has lost control of the countryside as the people have risen up countryside as the people have risen up countryside as the people have risen up uh, to overthrow the Taliban. Part of uh, to overthrow the Taliban. Part of uh, to overthrow the Taliban. Part of the problem here too, if you're Osama the problem here too, if you're Osama the problem here too, if you're Osama bin Laden, I think, bin Laden, I think, bin Laden, I think, is that he's operating now as a is that he's operating now as a is that he's operating now as a foreigner in Afghanistan. Remember, this foreigner in Afghanistan. Remember, this foreigner in Afghanistan. Remember, this is one of the world's great terrorists. is one of the world's great terrorists. is one of the world's great terrorists. He killed thousands of Americans. He's He killed thousands of Americans. He's He killed thousands of Americans. He's uh, uh, uh, he's perverted Islam to try to justify he's perverted Islam to try to justify he's perverted Islam to try to justify killing folks. And now I think what killing folks. And now I think what killing folks. And now I think what we're seeing in Afghanistan is as people we're seeing in Afghanistan is as people we're seeing in Afghanistan is as people uh, welcome, if you will, the end of uh, welcome, if you will, the end of uh, welcome, if you will, the end of Taliban rule, Taliban rule, Taliban rule, that there's a lot of animosity on their that there's a lot of animosity on their that there's a lot of animosity on their part for Osama bin Laden as well, too. part for Osama bin Laden as well, too. part for Osama bin Laden as well, too. He represents these foreign element and He represents these foreign element and He represents these foreign element and that they are probably no longer welcome that they are probably no longer welcome that they are probably no longer welcome just about any place in Afghanistan. just about any place in Afghanistan. just about any place in Afghanistan. >> Uh, given the massive number of >> Uh, given the massive number of >> Uh, given the massive number of defections we're hearing about, is your defections we're hearing about, is your defections we're hearing about, is your intelligence getting any better about intelligence getting any better about intelligence getting any better about where Osama bin Laden is?

where Osama bin Laden is? where Osama bin Laden is? >> We get a lot of reports. Uh, >> We get a lot of reports. Uh, >> We get a lot of reports. Uh, I wouldn't at this point want to get too I wouldn't at this point want to get too I wouldn't at this point want to get too precise. Obviously, I can't, I precise. Obviously, I can't, I precise. Obviously, I can't, I shouldn't. Um, shouldn't. Um, shouldn't. Um, but uh, it's a fluid situation. but uh, it's a fluid situation. but uh, it's a fluid situation. The The The circumstances on the ground have changed circumstances on the ground have changed circumstances on the ground have changed dramatically just in in a matter of dramatically just in in a matter of dramatically just in in a matter of days. And uh areas that were probably days. And uh areas that were probably days. And uh areas that were probably safe for him uh 48 or 72 hours ago are safe for him uh 48 or 72 hours ago are safe for him uh 48 or 72 hours ago are no longer safe for him. And as that no longer safe for him. And as that no longer safe for him. And as that happens, as the president said when we happens, as the president said when we happens, as the president said when we this started, uh we'll keep after him this started, uh we'll keep after him this started, uh we'll keep after him until we smoke him out and run him to until we smoke him out and run him to until we smoke him out and run him to ground. ground. ground. >> Is he on the run? >> Is he on the run? >> Is he on the run? >> I think he is. Uh I think he's probably >> I think he is. Uh I think he's probably >> I think he is. Uh I think he's probably still in Afghanistan, but I think he's still in Afghanistan, but I think he's still in Afghanistan, but I think he's having to move uh having to move uh having to move uh pretty dramatically from place to place pretty dramatically from place to place pretty dramatically from place to place to try to stay ahead of uh the advancing to try to stay ahead of uh the advancing to try to stay ahead of uh the advancing forces of the opposition. forces of the opposition. forces of the opposition. >> Mr. Vice President, the president has >> Mr. Vice President, the president has >> Mr. Vice President, the president has approved special military tribunals for approved special military tribunals for approved special military tribunals for foreigners accused of terrorism. foreigners accused of terrorism. foreigners accused of terrorism. Are we now going to have secret trials? Are we now going to have secret trials? Are we now going to have secret trials? >> The um >> The um >> The um question of of tribunals, [snorts] question of of tribunals, [snorts] question of of tribunals, [snorts] uh the precedent for it is there. Uh it uh the precedent for it is there. Uh it uh the precedent for it is there. Uh it was used by uh was used by uh was used by uh FDR in World War FDR in World War FDR in World War with respect to German saboteurs with respect to German saboteurs with respect to German saboteurs uh who were uh who were uh who were uh sent into the United States to commit uh sent into the United States to commit uh sent into the United States to commit acts of sabotage. He set up a military acts of sabotage. He set up a military acts of sabotage. He set up a military tribunal. Uh these individuals were tribunal. Uh these individuals were tribunal. Uh these individuals were tried, found guilty, and executed.

tried, found guilty, and executed. tried, found guilty, and executed. These people are not American citizens. These people are not American citizens. These people are not American citizens. They come into the United States or they They come into the United States or they They come into the United States or they conspire to support attacks designed to conspire to support attacks designed to conspire to support attacks designed to kill thousands, perhaps hundreds of kill thousands, perhaps hundreds of kill thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans, innocent people, thousands of Americans, innocent people, thousands of Americans, innocent people, men, women, and children. men, women, and children. men, women, and children. They should not be entitled to the same They should not be entitled to the same They should not be entitled to the same kind of treatment that American citizen kind of treatment that American citizen kind of treatment that American citizen would go into the normal law enforcement would go into the normal law enforcement would go into the normal law enforcement process. And uh that's as it should be. process. And uh that's as it should be. process. And uh that's as it should be. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. >> Do you personally believe uh that Saddam >> Do you personally believe uh that Saddam >> Do you personally believe uh that Saddam Hussein might have had something to do Hussein might have had something to do Hussein might have had something to do with any of this? with any of this? with any of this? >> I have uh >> I have uh >> I have uh no way to know no way to know no way to know whether or not he did. Um whether or not he did. Um whether or not he did. Um it's an interesting question. It's one it's an interesting question. It's one it's an interesting question. It's one that uh we're interested in pursuing and that uh we're interested in pursuing and that uh we're interested in pursuing and exploring. exploring. exploring. But uh But uh But uh at this stage um I cannot say with at this stage um I cannot say with at this stage um I cannot say with certainty that uh certainty that uh certainty that uh that he was or wasn't. that he was or wasn't. that he was or wasn't. >> Well, you know that Mohammed Atta, the >> Well, you know that Mohammed Atta, the >> Well, you know that Mohammed Atta, the ringleader of the hijackers, actually ringleader of the hijackers, actually ringleader of the hijackers, actually met with an Iraqi intelligence official met with an Iraqi intelligence official met with an Iraqi intelligence official >> uh in April >> uh in April >> uh in April of this year, of this year, of this year, as well as earlier. And that information as well as earlier. And that information as well as earlier. And that information has been made public. The Czechs made has been made public. The Czechs made has been made public. The Czechs made that public.

that public. that public. Um obviously, that's an interesting Um obviously, that's an interesting Um obviously, that's an interesting piece of information. piece of information. piece of information. >> Sounds like you're have your suspicions. >> Sounds like you're have your suspicions. >> Sounds like you're have your suspicions. >> I can't operate on suspicions. Uh >> I can't operate on suspicions. Uh >> I can't operate on suspicions. Uh President and uh the rest of us who are President and uh the rest of us who are President and uh the rest of us who are involved in this effort have to make involved in this effort have to make involved in this effort have to make what we think are the right decisions what we think are the right decisions what we think are the right decisions for the United States in the national for the United States in the national for the United States in the national security arena and and that's what we're security arena and and that's what we're security arena and and that's what we're doing. doing. doing. And it doesn't do a lot of good for us And it doesn't do a lot of good for us And it doesn't do a lot of good for us to speculate. to speculate. to speculate. >> Mr. Vice President, during this crisis, >> Mr. Vice President, during this crisis, >> Mr. Vice President, during this crisis, you have been constantly you have been constantly you have been constantly sent to what we now know as the sent to what we now know as the sent to what we now know as the undisclosed location or locations for undisclosed location or locations for undisclosed location or locations for security reasons. Can you tell us why security reasons. Can you tell us why security reasons. Can you tell us why they keep doing this? they keep doing this? they keep doing this? >> We've done it because we feel it's >> We've done it because we feel it's >> We've done it because we feel it's important, especially when the threat important, especially when the threat important, especially when the threat level goes up, level goes up, level goes up, to keep the President or myself to keep the President or myself to keep the President or myself separated. That is, not physically separated. That is, not physically separated. That is, not physically occupy the same space at the same time. occupy the same space at the same time. occupy the same space at the same time. In In In In years past, when we're worried about In years past, when we're worried about In years past, when we're worried about presidential security, presidential security, presidential security, we've been concerned primarily we've been concerned primarily we've been concerned primarily with the act of an individual, some nut with the act of an individual, some nut with the act of an individual, some nut with a gun, with a gun, with a gun, who would take out try to take out who would take out try to take out who would take out try to take out assassinate the President of the United assassinate the President of the United assassinate the President of the United States. And it's happened all too often States. And it's happened all too often States. And it's happened all too often in our history. But that's a very in our history. But that's a very in our history. But that's a very different scale of threat than a different scale of threat than a different scale of threat than a situation in which you've got situation in which you've got situation in which you've got um people able to organize a conspiracy um people able to organize a conspiracy um people able to organize a conspiracy and threaten in effect not just and threaten in effect not just and threaten in effect not just one individual, one individual, one individual, but threaten the government. And but threaten the government. And but threaten the government. And conceivably be able to try to decapitate conceivably be able to try to decapitate conceivably be able to try to decapitate the federal government. That is to say, the federal government. That is to say, the federal government. That is to say, to take out the entire leadership of to take out the entire leadership of to take out the entire leadership of of our government.

of our government. of our government. >> So, what do they do >> So, what do they do >> So, what do they do when they take you away? Can you when they take you away? Can you when they take you away? Can you describe it to us? describe it to us? describe it to us? >> The um Some of obviously some of of how we Some of obviously some of of how we operate is classified and needs to be operate is classified and needs to be operate is classified and needs to be classified. You don't want to tell your classified. You don't want to tell your classified. You don't want to tell your adversary adversary adversary um um um details that would help them overcome details that would help them overcome details that would help them overcome the the the processes you put in place. processes you put in place. processes you put in place. But what you want to have is a But what you want to have is a But what you want to have is a government that could take over government that could take over government that could take over immediately immediately immediately Uh be up and running in short order. Uh be up and running in short order. Uh be up and running in short order. >> Do they come in and get you? I mean, how >> Do they come in and get you? I mean, how >> Do they come in and get you? I mean, how do they do they do they >> It's It's now it goes in as part of the >> It's It's now it goes in as part of the >> It's It's now it goes in as part of the schedule. I mean, it's planned in schedule. I mean, it's planned in schedule. I mean, it's planned in advance. I know when the president's advance. I know when the president's advance. I know when the president's going to be in the White House. going to be in the White House. going to be in the White House. >> Oh, I see. >> Oh, I see. >> Oh, I see. >> Um then generally I'll be someplace >> Um then generally I'll be someplace >> Um then generally I'll be someplace else. else. else. Um I have a small staff with me, core Um I have a small staff with me, core Um I have a small staff with me, core staff, and my people with me. staff, and my people with me. staff, and my people with me. >> Uh we go to physical physically secure >> Uh we go to physical physically secure >> Uh we go to physical physically secure locations, places where we have good locations, places where we have good locations, places where we have good communications. Uh I am in touch with communications. Uh I am in touch with communications. Uh I am in touch with him him him frequently. Uh today, for example, he's frequently. Uh today, for example, he's frequently. Uh today, for example, he's in Crawford, Texas. I'm here in the in Crawford, Texas. I'm here in the in Crawford, Texas. I'm here in the White House. White House. White House. >> Has the likelihood of a new terror >> Has the likelihood of a new terror >> Has the likelihood of a new terror attack in this country increased or attack in this country increased or attack in this country increased or decreased, would you say, in the last decreased, would you say, in the last decreased, would you say, in the last couple of weeks?

>> The threat level has clearly gone up in >> The threat level has clearly gone up in recent weeks because of reporting we recent weeks because of reporting we recent weeks because of reporting we received that led us received that led us received that led us uh to believe that in fact uh there was uh to believe that in fact uh there was uh to believe that in fact uh there was the likelihood of an additional attack. the likelihood of an additional attack. the likelihood of an additional attack. Uh but there's no question but what the Uh but there's no question but what the Uh but there's no question but what the threat level is still pretty significant threat level is still pretty significant threat level is still pretty significant out there, especially if we come to the out there, especially if we come to the out there, especially if we come to the end of the road here for Bin Laden in end of the road here for Bin Laden in end of the road here for Bin Laden in Afghanistan. And we're successful in Afghanistan. And we're successful in Afghanistan. And we're successful in wrapping him up. wrapping him up. wrapping him up. Uh that in and of itself could be a Uh that in and of itself could be a Uh that in and of itself could be a signal that would trigger some kind of a signal that would trigger some kind of a signal that would trigger some kind of a of a revenge attack, if you will, by of a revenge attack, if you will, by of a revenge attack, if you will, by people loyal to Bin Laden. So, it people loyal to Bin Laden. So, it people loyal to Bin Laden. So, it doesn't end necessarily with him. doesn't end necessarily with him. doesn't end necessarily with him. >> You're saying that if we kill Osama Bin >> You're saying that if we kill Osama Bin >> You're saying that if we kill Osama Bin Laden, we have to expect retaliation. Laden, we have to expect retaliation. Laden, we have to expect retaliation. >> It could happen. I don't know. I can't >> It could happen. I don't know. I can't >> It could happen. I don't know. I can't predict, but that's certainly a predict, but that's certainly a predict, but that's certainly a possibility. possibility. possibility. >> And you also said a few weeks ago that >> And you also said a few weeks ago that >> And you also said a few weeks ago that there could be these Bin Laden cells you there could be these Bin Laden cells you there could be these Bin Laden cells you just spoke about uh operating in the just spoke about uh operating in the just spoke about uh operating in the United States. Do you still believe United States. Do you still believe United States. Do you still believe there are? there are? there are? >> We're doing everything we can to wrap >> We're doing everything we can to wrap >> We're doing everything we can to wrap them up, and I think we've made major them up, and I think we've made major them up, and I think we've made major progress against them. That doesn't mean progress against them. That doesn't mean progress against them. That doesn't mean there aren't people here that we don't there aren't people here that we don't there aren't people here that we don't know about, that we haven't identified.

know about, that we haven't identified. know about, that we haven't identified. We have to assume there are others like We have to assume there are others like We have to assume there are others like that out there until we can that out there until we can that out there until we can can actually uh complete our can actually uh complete our can actually uh complete our investigations and and uh do everything investigations and and uh do everything investigations and and uh do everything we can to to we can to to we can to to capture the capture the capture the >> The story will continue after this. When you were first spirited away to an When you were first spirited away to an undisclosed location, there were all undisclosed location, there were all undisclosed location, there were all kinds of rumors I'm sure you're aware kinds of rumors I'm sure you're aware kinds of rumors I'm sure you're aware that were floating around Washington. Oh that were floating around Washington. Oh that were floating around Washington. Oh my my my you know, you would had heart problems you know, you would had heart problems you know, you would had heart problems and and and there must be something wrong with Dick there must be something wrong with Dick there must be something wrong with Dick Cheney. Cheney. Cheney. How's your health? How's your health? How's your health? >> Health's been fine. >> Health's been fine. >> Health's been fine. >> Nothing's been affected by that. >> Nothing's been affected by that. >> Nothing's been affected by that. >> No, nothing's been affected by it. It's >> No, nothing's been affected by it. It's >> No, nothing's been affected by it. It's I stay close I stay close I stay close accompanied by doctors all the time. I accompanied by doctors all the time. I accompanied by doctors all the time. I would be anyway even if I didn't have would be anyway even if I didn't have would be anyway even if I didn't have history of uh history of uh history of uh heart problems. heart problems. heart problems. But my docs keep regular track of me. But my docs keep regular track of me. But my docs keep regular track of me. They've been in recently and downloaded They've been in recently and downloaded They've been in recently and downloaded my pacemaker. They have this pacemaker my pacemaker. They have this pacemaker my pacemaker. They have this pacemaker they installed last summer. they installed last summer. they installed last summer. And they can come in and and in effect And they can come in and and in effect And they can come in and and in effect put what looks like a computer mouse on put what looks like a computer mouse on put what looks like a computer mouse on it and download onto a laptop the it and download onto a laptop the it and download onto a laptop the history of everything that's been going history of everything that's been going history of everything that's been going on that they have.

on that they have. on that they have. >> How's the history? What's been going on? >> How's the history? What's been going on? >> How's the history? What's been going on? >> It's never gone off. So. >> It's never gone off. So. >> It's never gone off. So. >> So what what do you say to Americans who >> So what what do you say to Americans who >> So what what do you say to Americans who worry about the impact that this kind of worry about the impact that this kind of worry about the impact that this kind of a crisis could have on their vice a crisis could have on their vice a crisis could have on their vice president given your heart disease? president given your heart disease? president given your heart disease? >> Well, so far it's >> Well, so far it's >> Well, so far it's it's been a set of problems we have to it's been a set of problems we have to it's been a set of problems we have to deal with but it goes with the turf and deal with but it goes with the turf and deal with but it goes with the turf and there's been no impact on my health. I there's been no impact on my health. I there's been no impact on my health. I appreciate their thoughtfulness. I run appreciate their thoughtfulness. I run appreciate their thoughtfulness. I run into a lot of people who uh into a lot of people who uh into a lot of people who uh who uh who uh who uh ask after me to see how I'm doing and ask after me to see how I'm doing and ask after me to see how I'm doing and say they offer prayers for my good say they offer prayers for my good say they offer prayers for my good health and I appreciate that. health and I appreciate that. health and I appreciate that. >> How has this crisis changed you? >> How has this crisis changed you? >> How has this crisis changed you? >> Well, I can't say my hair is any grayer. >> Well, I can't say my hair is any grayer. >> Well, I can't say my hair is any grayer. It was already pretty gray when it It was already pretty gray when it It was already pretty gray when it started. It's um started. It's um started. It's um uh uh uh It makes you think about uh It makes you think about uh It makes you think about uh the United States, how we live our the United States, how we live our the United States, how we live our lives, your family. lives, your family. lives, your family. Um Um Um it's been it's been it's been on the one hand uh on the one hand uh on the one hand uh I'm sure a traumatic experience for a I'm sure a traumatic experience for a I'm sure a traumatic experience for a great many people. On the other hand, great many people. On the other hand, great many people. On the other hand, too, I've been tremendously impressed too, I've been tremendously impressed too, I've been tremendously impressed with how the country's responded, how with how the country's responded, how with how the country's responded, how the American people have come together.

the American people have come together. the American people have come together. >> you, though? >> you, though? >> you, though? >> Well, >> Well, >> Well, um um um I've got a job to do. And uh I've got a job to do. And uh I've got a job to do. And uh I enjoy very much doing I enjoy very much doing I enjoy very much doing this particular job. I'm uh this particular job. I'm uh this particular job. I'm uh enormously privileged to be sitting here enormously privileged to be sitting here enormously privileged to be sitting here as uh vice president in this as uh vice president in this as uh vice president in this administration, administration, administration, taking on these kinds of assignments. I taking on these kinds of assignments. I taking on these kinds of assignments. I can't think of more important work that can't think of more important work that can't think of more important work that I could be doing with my life at this I could be doing with my life at this I could be doing with my life at this stage of my career. stage of my career. stage of my career. So, uh I'm glad I'm here, glad I can So, uh I'm glad I'm here, glad I can So, uh I'm glad I'm here, glad I can help.