    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 12, 2001]
    [Pages 1388-1389]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Former President Nelson
    Mandela of South Africa
    November 12, 2001

        President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome a man whose name
    symbolizes freedom and courage, to the Oval Office. President Mandela is
    going to say a few words, and I will say some after he finishes.
        Welcome.
        President Mandela. Well, firstly, I would like to express my deepest
    sympathies for the crash that took place today. And it's unfortunate
    that that would happen at this time, when the United States lost so many
    people on the 11th of September. But I know that you have quite a strong
    leader, and the people of the United States of America can face
    disaster, and I'm sure that they will overcome this unfortunate
    incident.
        I also want to say that one of the reasons for coming here is to be
    able to express my support for the President for his action in
    Afghanistan. The United States of America lost 5,000 people--innocent
    people--and it is quite correct for the President to ensure that the
    terrorists, those masterminds as well as those who have executed the
    action and survived, are to be punished heavily.
        And it would be disastrous if the President gave in to the call that
    the Army must now withdraw, before he has actually flushed out the
    terrorists. That would be disaster. They will claim that they have
    defeated the United States of America, and they will continue doing the
    same thing. So I support him to continue until those terrorists have
    been tracked down.
        President Bush. Mr. President, you don't have to worry about me. We
    are going to bring them to justice. And I want to thank you for your
    support. I also want to thank you for your wisdom and your leadership in
    Burundi. You made a huge difference.
        The President said, why would I welcome a pensioner to the Oval
    Office? And the reason why is because he is such a strong man. And it's
    been my honor to greet you and welcome you. And thank you for your words
    of condolences.

    American Airlines Flight 587 Crash

        I, too, want to express my heartfelt sympathies for the citizens of
    New York, those on the airplane, those whose houses were damaged, those
    who were hurt on the ground, for the recent incident that took place. It
    is heartbreaking to have picked up the phone and called my friend Rudy
    Giuliani and Governor George Pataki and once again expressed our condolences and,
    at the same time, assured the people of New York our Federal Government
    will respond as quickly as possible. We sent our

    [[Page 1389]]

    FEMA teams over; the FBI is over there. And this investigation is being
    led by the National Transportation Safety Board to make sure that the
    facts are fully known to the American people.
        The New York people have suffered mightily; they suffer again. But
    there's no doubt in my mind that the New Yorkers are resilient and
    strong and courageous people and will help their neighbors overcome this
    recent incident that took place.
        May God bless the victims and their families.
        Mr. President, welcome to Washington, and thank you for coming.
        President Mandela. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:10 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New
    York City and Gov. George E. Pataki of New York. He also referred to
    American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed into a neighborhood in Belle
    Harbor, NY, at approximately 9:17 a.m., shortly after takeoff from John
    F. Kennedy International Airport.