Bush Says Learning to Read Can Help Stop Terror

New York, NY —

Fighting terrorism and fighting illiteracy, the agendas of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush merged today at an event at the New York Public Library.

REPORTER: Speaking at the White House conference on Global Literacy, the president says nations will never defeat terrorism unless their citizens can read.

BUSH: Good trade agreements and tearing down the barriers that prevent people from free flow of goods will help enhance prosperty, but you can't be a prosperous nation if you don't have people who can read.

REPORTER: The president is in town until Wednesday; he'll address the UN's general assembly tomorrow. Hear the speech tomorrow on WNYC.