[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 28 (Monday, July 15, 2002)]
[Pages 1146-1147]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Situation in Afghanistan and an Exchange With Reporters 
in Kennebunkport

July 6, 2002

Assassination of Vice President Haji Abdul Qadir of Afghanistan

    The President. Today Vice President Qadir of Afghanistan was gunned 
down. The administration and our country mourns the loss of a man who 
desired freedom and stability for the country he loved. We have been in 
touch with Chairman Karzai, expressed our deepest condolences to the 
Chairman and the Government and people of Afghanistan, who lost a good 
and valued friend.
    The Afghan Government is in the process of investigating who might 
have done this. And we are more resolved than ever to bring stability to 
the country so that the Afghan people can have peace and hope.
    I'll answer a couple of questions.
    Q. Mr. President, did you personally call Chairman Karzai? And what 
does this say about the ability of a new Government to form and actually 
succeed there, and what are your concerns?
    The President. No, I haven't spoken to Chairman Karzai yet. I spoke 
to him yesterday, interestingly enough, to express our condolences about 
the loss of life during the military action. He was talked to by a 
member of my national security team.
    I am confident and I believe Chairman Karzai is confident that with 
patience and with aid and with a proper strategy, that Afghanistan can 
develop into a peaceful and hopeful nation.

Bombing of Afghan Civilians

    Q. Sir, what do you say to the Afghan people who are upset about the 
bombing of civilians?
    The President. Well, I say, you know, we're investigating. I say 
``we.'' Both the Afghanistan Government and the United States Government 
are investigating to find out the facts. But I can say to the Afghan 
people exactly what I told to Chairman Karzai, ``Any time innocent life 
is lost, we're sad. Our country values life, all life, and we'll find 
out what the facts are and then address it accordingly.''

Assassination of Vice President Haji Abdul Qadir of Afghanistan

    Q. Can the United States or the FBI or someone help with the 
investigation of the assassination, or will they?
    The President. Well, we'll find out. Right now the Afghan Government 
believes they can handle the investigation. There's all kinds of 
scenarios as to how the--who killed him. But we'll work closely with the 
Government if they want us to.
    Q. Sir, is there any sign that this kind of assassination may be 
connected to terrorist groups who are trying to get more involved in the 
country?
    The President. It could be that. It could be drug lords. It could be 
longtime rivals. Who knows? All we know is a good man is dead, and we 
mourn his loss.
    All right, thank you all. Thanks.

President's Birthday

    Q. Birthday plans, sir?
    The President. Let's see, settling in, a family lunch, may go for a 
run--it will be a mechanical run, however.
    Q. Why, not hot enough?
    The President. No, I wish I could get off the Point, but I think the 
agents will say today it's probably best for me to stay on Walker's 
Point.
    Let's see, what else will be happening? Who knows? Maybe a surprise 
party. [Laughter] Other than that, just hanging out with my family, 
which is a wonderful gift unto itself.
    Thank you all.

[[Page 1147]]

President's Round of Golf

    Q. What took you so long to play 18 holes--just 2 hours and 10 
minutes?
    The President. Well, I think it's because I three-putted too many 
greens. [Laughter]
    Have a good day today.
    Q. Happy birthday, Mr. President.
    The President. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 8:36 a.m. at the Cape Arundel Golf Course. 
In his remarks, he referred to President Hamid Karzai of the 
Transitional Authority of Afghanistan.