Elizabeth Vargas to Go One-on-One With Bush

Feb. 24, 2006 — -- "World News Tonight" anchorwoman Elizabeth Vargas will sit down for an exclusive interview with President Bush, who is at a critical moment in his second term. The interview will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the White House.

The president has been under increasing scrutiny lately, facing criticism from Democrats and Republicans over everything from the purchase of U.S. ports by an Arab company to the war in Iraq and the legal problems surrounding Vice President Dick Cheney's office.

The interview by Vargas, who has been on the job as co-anchor of "World News Tonight" since Jan. 3, will take place on the eve of Bush's trip to India and Pakistan.

Pakistan has been a crucial ally in the war on terrorism, but Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has a precarious grip on power, and there are questions about why he has not done more to help track down al Qaeda's leaders. India presents enormous challenges and opportunities as well.

The world's largest democracy is exerting increasing influence in the world economy, and American companies increasingly want a piece of the action.

The interview will cover a wide range of topics including that trip, the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and the war in Iraq. It will air on "World News Tonight" and "Nightline" on Tuesday, Feb. 28, and then on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, March 1.

In addition, Vargas will file a report for "World News Tonight's" daily webcast "World News Now" on Tuesday available at www.wnt.abcnews.com. Excerpts of the interview will be posted on ABCNEWS.com.