    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 21, 2003]
    [Pages 1597-1598]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters at Sedgefield Community College in Sedgefield,
    United Kingdom
    November 21, 2003

    Terrorist Attacks in Turkey

        President Bush. It was a sad day yesterday, but it's a day that
    reminds us all that we've got a job to do; that is to defeat terror.
        Q. What did you tell Erdogan, sir?
        President Bush. What?
        Q. What did you tell the Turkish leader?
        President Bush. I told him our
    prayers are with his people. I told him that we will work with him to
    defeat terror and that the terrorists have decided to use Turkey as a
    front.
        Q. [Inaudible]--specific aid, like sending FBI agents or
    investigators?
        President Bush. You'll see as time goes on. Both countries want to
    help. Obviously, we need to share intelligence. The best way to defeat
    Al-Qaida-type killers is to share intelligence and then work with local
    authorities to hunt these killers down.

        Great Britain has got a fantastic intelligence service, and we've
    got a good one as well. And we want to work with countries like Turkey
    to anticipate and to find killers.

    War on Terror

        Q. Is Turkey a new front in this war on terror?

        President Bush. It sure is, two major explosions. And Iraq is a
    front. Turkey is a front. Anywhere where the terrorists think they can
    strike is a front.

    [[Page 1598]]

        Q. [Inaudible]--Turkish officials wanted to go and strike Al Qaida
    in perhaps another country or another site?
        President Bush. We'll work with any country willing to fight off
    terror, just like Great Britain. This country is fortunate to have a
    Prime Minister who is clear-sighted about the
    threats of the 21st century, and America is lucky to have a friend as
    strong as Tony Blair.

    The Press

        Q. Do you like having all these press around you?
        President Bush. Do I like having all the press around me? Let me see
    here. [Laughter] Now, who has the final--let me ask, who has the final
    word, I wonder, me or the press? I love the press around me. Just take a
    look at this lot. Take, for example, Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated
    Press]. He thinks he's a fine runner--until he came out to the ranch--
    never mind. [Laughter]
        Prime Minister Blair. I'll tell you the truth
    a bit later, okay? [Laughter]
        President Bush. Yes, we like the press. A vibrant society is a
    society with a free press.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The exchange began at 2:22 p.m. at the All-Weather Pitch. During
    the exchange, the President referred to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan of Turkey.