[Bill Hemmer, Cnn Anchor:] The president and the first lady, Laura Bush, have just arrived at this event that will draw attention to the plight of Afghan women and Afghan children expected to sign the Afghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001. Mr. Bush there at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. We will shall listen for both of the first couple. A quick dip in now, to hear what's happening in Washington.
[Ferita," Afghan Exile:] ... my children ask me when they will see their father again. Today, I cannot tell them. I hope to be reunited with my family in our homeland so that my children can have a different kind of future, the same kind of future that all people on this earth want for their children. I have two boys. My husband and I have taught them that women are equal, and I want them to grow up in a country that treats us that way. After 25 years of suffering and sacrifice, my people finally have international attention and hope for the future. I have hope because of the legislation being signed today. I also have hope because of the talks last week in Bonn and the place that women are taking in our new government. Now, we need a humanitarian task force that monitors and supports the rebuilding of Afghanistan. I ask the American people to remember my voice and my story and the millions of women I represent. Together, we can restore women's full participation, so that women can work side-by-side with our Afghan brothers in rebuilding our country and giving our children a different kind of tomorrow. No one has done more to give rise to our dreams than the first lady, Mrs. Bush. Two weeks ago, Mrs. Bush met with a group of us Afghan women who were in town with the Vital Voices leadership training program. She listened to our stories with compassion, as mother, as a woman, and she told us she would support us and our families. I want to thank you, Mrs. Bush, for your radio address about the plight of Afghan women. When you spoke, the world listened. It is my great honor to introduce the first lady of the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush.
[Laura Bush:] Thank you very much and thank you for your beautiful words.
[George W. Bush, President Of The United States:] Thank you all. Thank you. For several years, the people of Afghanistan have suffered under one of the most brutal regimes brutal regimes in modern history, a regime allied with terrorists and a regime at war with women. Thanks to our military and our allies and the brave fighters of Afghanistan, the Taliban regime is coming to an end.
[Hemmer:] Clearly, this has been an issue for the White House since the very beginning of this conflict, trying to draw attention to the plight of women in Afghanistan, and the children. That is why the two-pronged approach one military, one humanitarian was set out at the very beginning of this conflict. The president at this point will sign into law a relief act for Afghan women and children. He made mention of the U.S. commitment long term, saying they have learned the mistakes of the past and quote "will not leave until the mission is complete." He also talked about the new government ushered in in about ten days time; December 22 is the date Hamid Karzai will take control in Kabul. The president moving some youngsters out of the way there. We will see him sign that act into law. Certainly, some of the words we've heard for many weeks now: Strongly rejecting the Taliban way, he says, strongly rejecting their treatment of women and children; their attitude is wrong, for any religion their attitude wrong for any culture. Such the words went today for the president. The first lady spoke before him, and we hear from a leading Afghan woman, there in Washington, with the introduction of the first couple. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com