Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Apr. 1

Just to show you we don’t hold a grudge, to host you all. And I’d like to end by we’ve invited Members of the U.S. Con- this simple—this simple statement: May gress here. And you’re welcome, and thank God bless your families, and may God con- you all for coming. [Laughter] tinue to bless the United States of America. I also am really looking forward to start- ing the Easter egg roll. I want everybody NOTE: The President spoke at 9:15 a.m. on to have a great time here. It is our honor the South Lawn at the White House.

Remarks Following a Meeting With Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg and an Exchange With Reporters April 1, 2002

Governor’s Island Transfer I’ll be glad to answer a few questions. The President. I have just informed the Governor and the mayor, the Governor of Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian New York and the mayor of New York City, Authority that the Federal Government will transfer Governor’s Island to the people of New Q. Mr. President, what specifically would York. I’ll never forget choppering over Gov- you like for Chairman Arafat to do, what ernor’s Island with George and Rudy specific action you’d like him to take in Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg’s predecessor, the Middle East? And in light of the cur- and the two leaders talking about what rent situation in Israel, does the Bush doc- good use Governor’s Island could be put trine on terrorism not apply in this case? to. The President. Well, first of all, there Since that time, I’ve studied the state- will never be peace so long as there’s ter- ments of Mayor Bloomberg, who exten- ror. And all of us must fight off—fight ter- sively talked about Governor’s Island and ror. And you asked about Chairman Arafat. how to improve Governor’s Island and how I’d like to see Chairman Arafat denounce to make it a center of educational excel- the terrorist activities that are taking place, lence, something dear to George Pataki’s the constant attacks. heart. I looked at the law, looked at the We’ve got a plan that will lead to peace, circumstances, and decided this morning the security plan called Tenet; there’s a that this was the right thing for the U.S. political plan called Mitchell. Both sides Government, and it’s the right thing for have agreed to this plan, and we urge the the people of New York. parties to accept the Tenet plan so that I appreciate so very much the vision of we can bring some—a peaceful resolution these two leaders, and I appreciate their to an issue that’s affecting the lives of Pal- heartfelt concern for the citizens of New estinians and Israelis alike. There’s a lot York City and the region. And so I want of innocent people who hurt in the region to welcome to the Oval Office with this because of the senseless violence and piece of news. senseless murder. George, why don’t you say a few words? Q. Mr. President, I’d like to follow up on Sonya’s [Sonya Ross, Associated Press] [At this point, Governor Pataki and Mayor question. Under your doctrine, a terrorist Bloomberg made brief remarks.] or someone who aids a terrorist is the The President. I know you will. Thanks. equivalent of a terrorist. So what’s keeping

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Chairman Arafat—what’s keeping you from The President. I think it’s very important labeling Chairman Arafat a terrorist? for the Prime Minister to keep a pathway The President. Chairman Arafat has to peace open, to understand that on the agreed to a peace process. He’s agreed to one hand, Israel should protect herself, and the Tenet plan. He’s agreed to the Mitchell on the other hand, there ought to be a plan. He has negotiated with parties as to pathway, the capacity to achieve a peaceful how to achieve peace. And of course, our resolution to this issue. It’s important for hope is that he accepts the Tenet plan. Israel to understand that. They’ve signed That’s what General Zinni is in the Middle on to the Tenet agreement, and they signed East doing, working to get this Tenet on to the Mitchell plan, and that is the agreement in place, which is a series of pathway to peace. And I believe Prime concrete steps to reduce the violence in Minister Sharon still accepts Tenet and still the Middle East. accepts Mitchell as the way to achieve a peaceful resolution. President’s Involvement in Middle East I was very heartened a couple of weeks Q. There were various calls on the Sun- ago by the Saudi Arabia Crown Prince, day talk shows for you to become more when he talked about the need for the actively involved in this process, sir. Is Arab world to recognize Israel’s right to there any way you would do that? exist. It was a positive development. There The President. You know, they must have were some positive things that were taking not been with me in Crawford when I was place in the region, until the terrorist sui- on the phone all morning long, talking to cide bombers start killing innocent people. world leaders. We’ve just come from a Na- Governor’s Island Transfer tional Security Council meeting where Q. Mr. President, why give the island Colin Powell was recounting his phone con- now? Can you tell us what—— versations. We’ve got General Zinni in the The President. Why now, right this sec- region. We’ve got a Tenet plan, a Mitchell ond? plan, a roadmap to what will be a peaceful Q. Well, why did you make the an- resolution to this issue. nouncement today, and what persuaded you I hope that the world community will to transfer the island to the city? And also, continue to condemn terror, and if they was this in any way to help Governor Pataki haven’t condemned terror yet, start con- in his reelection? demning terror. It’s essential for the peace The President. Well, listen, he doesn’t of the region and the world that we rout need my help to get reelected, for starters. out terrorist activities, that we condemn He’s got a great record. The people of New those activities. Suicide bombers in the York are discerning voters. Well, most of name of religion is simple terror. And the the time they’re discerning voters—[laugh- free world, the civilized world must band ter]—if you know what I mean. [Laughter] together to stop this kind of activity if we Q. No, what do you mean? [Laughter] expect there to be peace and resolution The President. Well, you’re a smart guy; in the Middle East. read between the lines. No, George Pataki has been a great Governor for New York. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel I made the announcement today because Q. You’ve made clear, sir, that you be- I had finished the necessary study of the lieve that Chairman Arafat needs to do issue, to make sure that we could transfer much more. Do you believe that Prime this property without congressional action. Minister Sharon is doing all he can to foster And I believe I can do that. It took a peace in the region? while to take a look at it.

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It also requires—I wanted to make sure week. And the recommendation was that that the Governor and mayor would be we could transfer this property, if that’s using this property for education purposes. what I wanted to do. And it’s something That’s what the mayor said he would do; I want to do, because I think it’s going the Governor said he wanted to do that. to make the life of a city that has been They took a look at it and decided this tragically affected by killers and murderers is what they wanted to do. And it makes better. And I think it will enhance the qual- a lot of sense to me, and using it for edu- ity of education for the people of New cation purposes will make it easier for me York. And to me, that is a worthwhile and to facilitate the transfer, by the way. noble cause. Q. Mr. President, the previous adminis- tration didn’t want—I was just wondering, what specifically persuaded you? NOTE: The President spoke at 11:15 a.m. in The President. Well, I took a look at it. the Oval Office at the White House. In his I mean, it’s a good question. I took a look remarks, the President referred to U.S. Spe- at it. I listened to what George said. He’s cial Envoy to the Middle East Gen. Anthony my friend; I trust his judgment. I’ve known Zinni, USMC (Ret.); and Crown Prince him for a long time, and Rudy Giuliani Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The President also as well—both of them were passionate in referred to the Tenet plan, the Israeli-Pales- their appeal for us to consider transferring tinian cease-fire and security plan of June 13, Governor’s Island. And I knew Mike was 2001, negotiated by Director of Central In- very interested in enhancing the quality of telligence George J. Tenet; and the Mitchell education in New York City. report, the Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh And I took a look at it. I came back— Fact-Finding Committee, issued April 30, obviously, things didn’t happen quickly 2001. The transcript released by the Office after September the 15th trip, because we of the Press Secretary also included the re- had a lot on our mind. But it took a while marks of Governor Pataki and Mayor to work it through the White House staff, Bloomberg. A tape was not available for and it arrived on my desk sometime last verification of the content of these remarks.

Remarks Honoring the 2002 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots April 2, 2002

The President. I’m honored to welcome what I learned, that in politics and sports, the Super Bowl champ Patriots to the Rose the experts are often wrong. Garden. I want to thank their owner, Bob I was really impressed by the character Kraft, for his leadership. And of course, of this team. Most of all—I obviously I want to thank their coach. Coach Bill watched the game—I was amazed at the has brought a lot of organization and clarity play and how they won. For a guy growing of purpose to this organization. I can re- up in Texas, that snow game looked pretty member when they were down on you a rough. [Laughter] But I know all the Pa- little bit—I know how you feel. [Laughter] triot fans were thrilled with that game and As a matter of fact, the Patriots learned the Super Bowl. I know you’ve got some an interesting lesson. I remember watching great fans here. all the experts talk about the Super Bowl. No one thought they’d win. They learned

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