[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
[Pages 1304-1308]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Telephone Conversation With New York City Mayor Rudolph 
Giuliani and New York Governor George Pataki and an Exchange With 
Reporters

September 13, 2001

    President Bush. Good morning, men.
    Mayor Giuliani. Good morning, Mr. President.
    Governor Pataki. Good morning, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Thank you all very much for taking my phone call. 
First of all, I can't tell you how sad I am, and America is, for the 
people of New York City and the tri-state area. I want to let you know 
there is a quiet anger in America that really is real.
    Also, though, I can't tell you how proud I am of the good citizens 
of your part of the world and the extraordinary job you all are doing. 
You're doing, really, a great job on

[[Page 1305]]

behalf of the citizens of New York City, New York State, and in the tri-
state area. So I want to thank you very much for your leadership and 
dedication.
    Mayor Giuliani. Thank you, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Secondly, I've been in touch with you all. You've 
extended me a kind invitation to come to New York City. I accept. I'll 
be there tomorrow afternoon, after the prayer service at the National 
Cathedral. I look forward to joining with both of you in thanking the 
police and fire, the construction trade workers, the restaurant owners, 
the volunteers--all of whom have really made a huge display for the 
world to see of the compassion of America and the bravery of America and 
the strength of America.
    Every world leader I've talked to in recent days has been impressed 
by what they have seen about our Nation and the fabric of our Nation. 
And I want to thank everybody when I come; so thank you for your 
hospitality.
    Governor Pataki. Well, Mr. President, thank you for coming to New 
York. I'm sure it's going to be a great inspiration to all of us and, 
particularly, those thousands of men and women still downtown trying to 
help us with the rescue efforts.
    I also want to thank you for all the help we've gotten from the 
Federal Government--it's been tremendous--and for your words. You are 
right, our Nation is united as never before, and we will triumph over 
this evil with your leadership and your inspiration. And I also have to 
congratulate the mayor for the tremendous effort he has made.
    Mr. President, you would be proud of the leadership and the 
cooperation we've seen here. The city has taken the lead. Your people 
have been enormously supportive, and we're very grateful.
    President Bush. Well, thanks, George and Rudy; thank you all. I know 
you've put in a request, and I've directed the Attorney General to 
expedite any payments of benefits for those fallen public safety 
officers to their families, any benefits to their families. And the 
Attorney General, as I understand it, will be making a formal 
announcement of your request today.
    I told Allbaugh, anything--anything it takes to help New York. I 
have been in touch with the Congress; they are expediting a 
supplemental. We've worked in great cooperation with Members of the 
Congress in both political parties. So just keep in touch. I know you 
will. This isn't the first time we've talked, and I really appreciate 
the fact that you all are in charge, and I know the citizens of New York 
and the tri-state area, people of New Jersey and Connecticut are 
appreciative, as well.
    Mayor Giuliani. Mr. President, the uniformed officers, the police, 
the fire, the emergency services officers, their families will really 
appreciate this. We're going to sustain a tremendous loss of our bravest 
and our best people. And the relief that you're now making available to 
the families is going to mean a lot to them. They're going to be able to 
think about the fact that their children are going to be taken care of, 
that they're going to be able to go to college, that they're going to be 
able to carry on.
    So I can't express to you how appreciative we are of your acting so 
swiftly. And also, on that terrible day when our city was being 
attacked, you were in immediate communication with us, Mr. President, 
and helped to secure the city. And the work you've done for us, we all 
eternally appreciate. You've been a terrific leader, and we're taking 
direction from you, and we're following your example. You've done a 
terrific job, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Well, thanks, Rudy, and thanks, George. Let me make 
it clear to you all as my close friends that my mindset is this: One, I 
weep and mourn with America. I'm going to a hospital right after this to 
comfort families. I wish I could comfort every single family whose lives 
have been affected.
    But make no mistake about it, my resolve is steady and strong about 
winning this war that has been declared on America. It's a new kind of 
war. And I understand it's a new kind of war. And this Government will 
adjust. And this Government will call others to join us, to make sure 
this act, these acts, the people who conducted these acts, and those who 
harbor them are held accountable for their actions. Make no mistake.

[[Page 1306]]

    And as we do so, I urge--I know I don't need to tell you all this, 
but our Nation must be mindful that there are thousands of Arab-
Americans who live in New York City who love their flag just as much as 
the three of us do. And we must be mindful that as we seek to win the 
war that we treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they 
deserve. I know that is your attitudes, as well; it's certainly the 
attitude of this Government, that we should not hold one who is a Muslim 
responsible for an act of terror. We will hold those who are responsible 
for the terrorist acts accountable and those who harbor them.
    You'll see--and I look forward to visiting with you in person 
tomorrow about the resolve of this Government. And so I thank you very 
much for your leadership on the ground. I wish I was visiting under 
better circumstances. But it will be a chance for all three of us to 
thank and hug and cry with the citizens of your good area.
    Mayor Giuliani. Thank you very much, Mr. President. We really 
appreciate this very much.
    President Bush. We'll see you tomorrow.
    Governor Pataki. Mr. President, we're looking forward to your visit. 
It will inspire us all. And we will be with you when the United States 
takes firm and appropriate action to those who conducted this evil.
    President Bush. Thank you all very much. See you tomorrow.
    Governor Pataki. Thank you.
    Mayor Giuliani. Thank you, Mr. President.
    President Bush. God bless.

Safety of Air Travel

    Q. Mr. President, is it safe to fly? And specifically, would you 
want a close member of your family to get on a commercial air flight 
today?
    President Bush. We have taken every precaution to make sure that it 
is safe to fly in America. There is beefed-up security at our airports. 
There is increased presence on the airplanes. Yes, I would--if a family 
member asked whether they should fly, I'd say, yes.

Response to September 11 Terrorist Attacks

    Q. Mr. President, how close are you, sir, to finding out, to nailing 
down who is responsible for these acts? And what kind of international 
coalition are you trying to build? Is it similar to the one your father 
built for the Persian Gulf war?
    President Bush. First, let me condition the press this way. Any 
sources and methods of intelligence will remain guarded and secret. My 
administration will not talk about how we gather intelligence, if we 
gather intelligence, and what the intelligence says. That's for the 
protection of the American people. It is important as we battle this 
enemy to conduct ourselves that way.
    Secondly, I've been on the phone this morning, just like I was 
yesterday and will be on this afternoon, on the phone with leaders from 
around the world who express their solidarity with this Nation's 
intention to rout out and to whip terrorism.
    They understand, fully understand that an act of war was declared on 
the United States of America. They understand, as well, that that act 
could have as easily been declared on them, that these people can't 
stand freedom; they hate our values; they hate what America stands for. 
Many of the leaders understand it could have easily have happened to 
them.
    Secondly, they understand that, unlike previous war, this enemy 
likes to hide. They heard my call loud and clear, to those who feel like 
they can provide safe harbor for the terrorists, that we will hold them 
responsible, as well. And they join me in understanding not only the 
concept of the enemy but that the enemy is a different type of enemy. 
They join me also in solidarity about holding those who fund them, who 
harbor them, who encourage them, responsible for their activities.
    I'm pleased with the outpouring of support. Jiang Zemin, Vladimir 
Putin; had a great visit this morning with His Royal Highness Prince 
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. I will continue to stay on the phone. And 
there is universal support for the American people, sadness in their 
voice but understanding that we have just seen the first war of the 21st 
century. And there is universal approval of

[[Page 1307]]

the statements I have made, and I am confident there will be universal 
approval of the actions this Government takes.

Pakistan and Afghanistan

    Q. Mr. President, if this is a different kind of war, it might 
require, perhaps, a different kind of coalition. Many people believe 
that for a real war on terrorism to work you'll need cooperation from 
governments that haven't necessarily done so in the past, specifically, 
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
    Have you made any progress on that front, and do you have a message 
for those----
    President Bush. I would refer you to the statements that the 
Pakistani leader gave about his--I don't have the exact words in front 
of me--but his willingness to work with the United States. And I 
appreciate that statement, and now we'll just find out what that means, 
won't we?
    We will give the Pakistani Government a chance to cooperate and to 
participate as we hunt down those people who committed this unbelievable 
despicable act on America.

Intelligence Gathering/Congressional Support

    Q. Mr. President, how confident are you that Usama bin Ladin is 
behind these attacks? Do you know what his whereabouts are? And 
secondly, what kind of support are you looking for from Congress, in 
terms of your willingness to act?
    President Bush. We are--we will not discuss intelligence matters, 
how we gather intelligence, and what we know--about anybody. When our 
Government acts, you'll be informed.
    Secondly, I am--we had a great meeting yesterday here in the Cabinet 
Room with leadership of the House and the Senate. I was touched by their 
response, their encouragement, and their willingness to work together. 
And I would be very pleased to see a strong resolution come out of 
Congress supporting the administration and what we intend to do, and 
we're working closely with Congress.
    Secondly, progress is being made on a supplemental. I thought that 
was very swift action, and I'm most appreciative, again, of Senator 
Daschle and Representative Gephardt, as well as my Republican 
colleagues, for really showing solidarity again and uniting the Nation. 
Now is the time for the country to be united.
    You know, through the tears of sadness I see an opportunity. Make no 
mistake about it, this Nation is sad, but we're also tough and resolute. 
And now is an opportunity to do generations a favor, by coming together 
and whipping terrorism, hunting it down, finding it, and holding them 
accountable.
    The Nation must understand, this is now the focus of my 
administration. We will very much engage in domestic policy, of course. 
I look forward to working with Congress on a variety of issues. But now 
that war has been declared on us, we will lead the world to victory, to 
victory.

Air Force One

    Q. Mr. President, what is your understanding of the threat to Air 
Force One? And do you believe that the terrorists attempted to 
assassinate you, sir?
    President Bush. I will not discuss the intelligence that our country 
has gathered.
    Q. Do you believe they tried to assassinate you?
    President Bush. I believe I took the--I know; I don't believe--I 
know I took the appropriate actions as the Commander in Chief, to be in 
a position to be able to make the decisions necessary for our Government 
to handle the crisis.
    You didn't hear the end of the phone call with the mayor and George 
Pataki. Both of whom thanked me for the fact that we were immediately on 
the phone with them from Air Force One, and our Government responded 
quickly.

Day of Prayer

    Q. About the prayer day tomorrow, Mr. President. Could you give us a 
sense as to what kind of prayers you are thinking and where your heart 
is, for yourself, as you----

[[Page 1308]]

    President Bush. Well, I don't think about myself right now. I think 
about the families, the children. I am a loving guy, and I am also 
someone, however, who has got a job to do, and I intend to do it. And 
this is a terrible moment.
    But this country will not relent until we have saved ourselves and 
others from the terrible tragedy that came upon America.
      

Note: The President spoke at 11 a.m. from the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Jiang Zemin of China and 
President Vladimir Putin of Russia.