Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, September 16, 2002 Volume 38—Number 37 Pages 1517–1541 Contents

Addresses to the Nation Interviews With the News Media Terrorist attacks of September 11 from Ellis Exchanges with reporters Island, New York—1528 Afghan Embassy—1525 Camp David, MD—1518 Addresses and Remarks New York City, NY—1537 See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders Afghan Embassy—1525 Joint Statements Michigan, implementation of the ‘‘Smart President George W. Bush and Prime Border’’ Declaration and Action Plan in Minister Jean Chretien on Implementation Detroit—1521 of the ‘‘Smart Border’’ Declaration and New York Action Plan—1523 See also Addresses to the Nation Road Construction in Afghanistan by the Luncheon honoring U.N. Secretary-General President of the United States, the Prime Annan in New York City—1535 Minister of Japan, and the Foreign Minister Reception for heads of U.N. General of Saudi Arabia—1534 Assembly delegations in New York City— Meetings With Foreign Leaders 1535 U.N. General Assembly in New York City— Afghanistan, President Karzai—1533 1529 Burundi, President Buyoya—1537 Radio address—1517 Cameroon, President Biya—1537 Virginia, Pentagon in Arlington—1527 Canada, Prime Minister Chretien—1521, 1523 Central African Republic, President Patasse— Communications to Congress 1537 Colombia, letter transmitting report on Chad, President Deby—1537 military personnel and civilians involved in Democratic Republic of the Congo, President the antinarcotics campaign—1520 Kabila—1537

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also available on the Inter- net on the GPO Access service at http://www.gpo.gov/nara/nara003.html.

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments. Contents—Continued

Meetings With Foreign Leaders—Continued Notices Equatorial Guinea, President Obiang Nguema Continuation of the National Emergency With Mbasogo—1537 Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks—1536 Gabon, President Bongo—1537 Japan, Prime Minister Koizumi—1534 Statements by the President Portugal, Prime Minister Durao Barroso— 1524 Healthy Forests Initiative, proposed legislation Republic of the Congo, President Sassou- to implement—1535 Nguesso—1537 Supplementary Materials Rwanda, President Kagame—1537 Sao Tome and Principe, President De Acts approved by the President—1541 Menezes—1537 Checklist of White House press releases— Saudi Arabia, Minister of Foreign Affairs 1540 Saud—1534 Digest of other White House United Kingdom, Prime Minister Blair—1518 announcements—1538 United Nations, Secretary-General Annan— Nominations submitted to the Senate—1539 1535 Week Ending Friday, September 13, 2002

The President’s Radio Address ment accounts in response to terrorist September 7, 2002 threats. This requirement is nothing new; such authority is presently available to nu- Good morning. Next week, our Nation will merous agencies, including the Department pause to honor and remember the lives lost of Health and Human Services, the Depart- on September the 11th. We must also re- ment of Agriculture, and the Department of member a central lesson of the tragedy: Our Energy. homeland is vulnerable to attack, and we The House of Representatives has passed must do everything in our power to protect legislation that would ensure the flexibility it. and authority needed for the Department of We protect our country by relentlessly Homeland Security to effectively carry out pursuing terrorists across the Earth, assessing its mission. The legislation now in the Senate and anticipating our vulnerabilities, and act- would not. The Senate bill would not allow ing quickly to address those vulnerabilities the new Secretary of Homeland Security to and prevent attacks. America needs a single shift resources or streamline functions in re- department of Government dedicated to the sponse to a terrorist threat without a time- task of protecting our people. Right now, re- consuming approval process. And the legisla- sponsibilities for homeland security are scat- tion would keep in place a process that can tered across dozens of departments in Wash- take up to 18 months just to fire an em- ington. By ending duplication and overlap, ployee. we will spend less on overhead and more on The Senate bill also provides no transfer protecting America. And we must give the authority for the Secretary of Homeland Se- Department of Homeland Security every tool curity. Under the Senate bill, the Secretary it needs to succeed. would have to ask the President to submit One essential tool this new Department a supplemental budget request to Congress, needs is the flexibility to respond to terrorist and then wait for Congress to act every time threats that can arise or change overnight. The Department of Homeland Security must new terrorist threats presented a need for be able to move people and resources quick- additional funding. In this war on terror, this ly, without being forced to comply with a is time we simply do not have. thick book of bureaucratic rules. Even worse, the Senate bill would weaken For example, we have three agencies the President’s well-established authority to working to safeguard our borders, the INS, prohibit collective bargaining when a na- the Customs Service, and the Border Patrol. tional security interest demands it. Every They all have different cultures and different President since Jimmy Carter has used this strategies but should be working together in authority, and a time of war is not time to a streamlined effort. Other Federal agencies limit a President’s ability to act in the interest dealing with national security already have of national security. this flexibility, the FBI and the CIA and the Senators need to understand I will not ac- new Transportation Security Administration. cept a homeland security bill that puts special It seems like, to me, if it’s good enough for interests in Washington ahead of the security these agencies, it should be good enough for of the American people. I will not accept a the new Department of Homeland Security. homeland security bill that ties the hands of In addition, the new Secretary of Home- this administration or future administrations land Security needs the authority to transfer in defending our Nation against terrorist at- some funds, limited funds, among Govern- tacks. 1517 1518 Sept. 7 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

America has been engaged in this war for bility, that threat is real. We only need to nearly a year, and we’ve made real progress. look at the report from the International Yet more work remains. A new Department Atomic Energy Agency this morning showing of Homeland Security will help us to protect what has been going on at the former nuclear our country, but only if it has the tools to weapons sites to realize that. And the policy get the job done. I urge the Senate to follow of inaction is not a policy we can responsibly the House’s lead and pass legislation that subscribe to. So the purpose of our discus- gives the Department the flexibility and the sion today is to work out the right strategy authority it needs to protect the American for dealing with this, because deal with it we people. must. Thank you for listening. President Bush. AP lady [Jennifer Loven, NOTE: The address was recorded at 11:35 a.m. Associated Press]. on September 6 in the Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction 7. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 6 but was Q. Mr. President, can you tell us what con- embargoed for release until the broadcast. The clusive evidence of any nuclear—new evi- Office of the Press Secretary also released a Span- dence you have of nuclear weapons capabili- ish language transcript of this address. ties of Saddam Hussein? President Bush. We just heard the Prime Minister talk about the new report. I would Remarks Prior to Discussions With remind you that when the inspectors first Prime Minister Tony Blair of the went into Iraq and were denied—finally de- United Kingdom and an Exchange nied access, a report came out of the Atom- With Reporters at Camp David, ic—the IAEA that they were 6 months away Maryland from developing a weapon. I don’t know September 7, 2002 what more evidence we need. Prime Minister Blair. Absolutely right. President Bush. It’s my honor to welcome And what we—what we know from what has the Prime Minister back to Camp David. I been going on there for a long period of time look forward to spending a good 3 hours talk- is not just the chemical, biological weapons ing to our friend about how to keep the capability, but we know that they were trying peace. This world faces some serious to develop nuclear weapons capability. And threat—and threats—and we’re going to talk the importance of this morning’s report is it about it. We’re going to talk about how to yet again shows that there is a real issue that promote freedom around the world. We’re going to talk about our shared values of— has to be tackled here. recognizes the worth of every individual. I mean, I was just reading coming over And I’m looking forward to this time. It’s here the catalog of attempts by Iraq to con- awfully thoughtful of Tony to come over ceal its weapons of mass destruction, not to here. It’s an important meeting, because he’s tell the truth about it over—not just over a an important ally, an important friend. period of months but over a period of years. Welcome. Now, that’s why the issue is important. And Prime Minister Blair. Thanks. of course, it’s an issue not just for America, I’m looking very much forward, obviously, not just for Britain; it’s an issue for the whole to discussing the issues that are preoccupying of the international community. But it is an us at the moment, with the President. And issue we have to deal with. And that’s why I thank him for his kind invitation to come I say to you that the policy of inaction, doing here and his welcome. nothing about it, is not something we can The point that I would emphasize to you responsibly adhere to. is that the threat from Saddam Hussein and President Bush. Do you want to call on weapons of mass destruction, chemical, bio- somebody? You don’t have to if you don’t logical, potentially nuclear weapons capa- want to. [Laughter] Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 7 1519

U.N. Resolution on Iraq This man is a man who said he was going Q. A question for the President and the to get rid of weapons of mass destruction. Prime Minister—will you, Mr. President, And for 11 long years, he has not fulfilled seek a U.N. resolution prior to any action his promise. And we’re going to talk about against Iraq? what to do about it. We owe it to future gen- And for the Prime Minister, would you erations to deal with this problem, and that’s sanction any action against Iraq before— what these discussions are all about. without a U.N. resolution? Final question. President Bush. Well, first, I’m going to Call on somebody. [Laughter] give a speech next Thursday, and I’d like you Prime Minister Blair. Yes, sure. to tune in. President Bush. Yes? Prime Minister Blair. As I said to you, I think at the press conference we gave ear- Support for Action Against Iraq lier in the week, this is an issue for the whole Q. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, do of the international community. But the U.N. you have any support from any—— has got to be the way of dealing with this President Bush. Pardon me? issue, not the way of avoiding dealing with Q. Do you have any support from any it. Now, of course, as we showed before in other countries in the world, apart from Brit- relation to Afghanistan, we want the broadest ain? And Mr. Blair too. possible international support, but it’s got to President Bush. Yes. A lot of people un- be on the basis of actually making sure that derstand that this man has defied every U.N. the threat that we’ve outlined is properly ad- resolution—16 U.S. resolutions he’s ignored. hered to. A lot of people understand he holds weapons Because the point that I would emphasize of mass destruction. A lot of people under- to you is it’s not us—it’s not Britain or Amer- stand he has invaded two countries. A lot of ica that’s in breach of United Nations resolu- people understand he’s gassed his own peo- tions. It’s Saddam Hussein and Iraq. And ple. A lot of people understand he is unsta- therefore, this issue is there for the inter- ble. So we’ve got a lot of support. A lot of national community to deal with. And we’ve people understand the danger. got to make sure that it is a way of dealing Prime Minister Blair. Yes, and I can tell with it. you from the discussions I’ve had with peo- President Bush. Patsy [Patricia Wilson, ple—of course, there are people asking per- Reuters]. fectly reasonable questions about this, but the one thing that no one can deny is that Regime Change in Iraq Saddam Hussein is in breach of the United Q. Mr. President—— Nations resolutions on weapons of mass de- President Bush. Yes. struction—that is, chemical, biological, nu- Q. ——what is your actual target in Iraq? clear weapons—that that poses a threat not Is it weapons of mass destruction or Saddam just to the region, because there is no way, Hussein? And if the Prime Minister could if those weapons were used, that the threat answer too. would simply stay in the region. President Bush. Well, as you know, our People understand that. Now, we’ve got Government in 1998—action that my admin- to make sure that we work out a way forward istration has embraced—decided that this re- that, of course, mobilizes the maximum sup- gime was not going to honor its commitments port but does so on the basis of removing to get rid of weapons of mass destruction. a threat that the United Nations itself has The Clinton administration supported re- determined is a threat to the whole of the gime change. Many members of the current world. United States Senate supported regime President Bush. Thank you all for com- change. My administration still supports re- ing. I appreciate you. Thanks. gime change. There’s all kinds of ways to Q. Mr. President—— change regimes. President Bush. Pardon me? 1520 Sept. 7 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

President’s Reaction to September 11 Letter to Congressional Leaders Q. Will you take one on 9/11, sir? Transmitting a Report on Military President Bush. Yes, go ahead. Personnel and Civilians Involved in Q. Let me ask you, sir, when you asked the Antinarcotics Campaign in the American people for support—— Colombia President Bush. The only reason why is, September 5, 2002 he’s a fine fellow. Go ahead. Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Q. When you asked the American people Pursuant to section 3204(f), title III, chap- for support 2 years ago, there was no way, ter 2 of the Emergency Supplemental Act, sir, anyone could have imagined the grim na- 2000 (the ‘‘Act’’), as enacted in the Military ture of the job you would take on. Had you Construction Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub- known then what the job would entail, would lic Law 106–246, I am providing a report pre- you still have asked for it, sir? And would pared by my Administration. The report pro- you have had any compunction about—— vides ‘‘the aggregate number, locations, ac- President Bush. There’s no way that I tivities, and lengths of assignment for all tem- could have possibly known what we were porary and permanent U.S. military per- going to have to deal with. I’m a citizen of sonnel and U.S. individual civilians retained a country that has had these two vast oceans as contractors involved in the antinarcotics protecting us. For all these years we were campaign in Colombia.’’ safe. People couldn’t come and attack us— In so doing, I note and appreciate the con- so we thought. Of course, Hawaii got at- tinued strong bipartisan support given to tacked, but that’s not a part of our mainland. U.S. programs assisting Colombia in the Act We felt secure here in the country. and elsewhere. This report is classified be- There’s no way we could have possibly en- cause of force protection considerations and visioned that the battlefield would change. the high level of terrorist threat in Colombia. And it has. And that’s why we’ve got to deal However, the aggregate numbers given with all the threats. That’s why Americans below are unclassified. must understand that when a tyrant like Sad- The report indicates that as of July 12, dam Hussein possesses weapons of mass de- 2002, the end of this reporting period, there struction, it not only threatens the neighbor- were 170 temporary and permanent U.S. hood in which he lives—it not only threatens military personnel and 228 U.S. civilians re- the region—it can threaten the United States tained as individual contractors in Colombia of America or Great Britain, for that matter. involved in supporting Plan Colombia. This report further indicates that during May, The battlefield has changed. We are in a new June, and July 2002, these figures never ex- kind of war, and we’ve got to recognize that. ceeded the ceilings established in section There’s no way I could have possibly pre- 3204(b) of the Act, as amended. dicted that future. I’m honored to be the Sincerely, President. And so long as I am the President, I’m going to work hard to make America safe George W. Bush and the world more peaceful. Thank you all. NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, NOTE: The President spoke at 3:51 p.m. In his and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hus- This letter was released by the Office of the Press sein of Iraq. Secretary on September 9. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 9 1521

Remarks on Implementation of the Democrats who share deep concern about ‘‘Smart Border’’ Declaration and our border and what transpires here. So I Action Plan in Detroit, Michigan thank the Members of Congress for coming September 9, 2002 today. I also appreciate so very much our Ambas- Thank you all very much. Thanks. Thank sador from Canada, Paul Cellucci, my close you all. Thank you for joining us today. It’s friend, for being here as well. Mr. Ambas- a pleasure to be back in Detroit—just across sador, thank you for coming. the river from Windsor—to reaffirm a special I want to thank Robert Bonner of the Cus- relationship, an important relationship, and toms, U.S. Customs, for being here, and Rob to address a common challenge. America and Wright, who’s the Commissioner of Cana- Canada face new threats to our security. It’s dian Customs. Thank you both for coming. the new reality of the 21st century, and we I appreciate Jim Ziglar so very much, the can’t forget that. head of our INS, for being here. He’s got And some of those threats must be a tough job, and he’s handling his job in fine stopped at our borders. This great and peace- fashion. Jim, I want to thank you for your ful border must be open to business, must service to the country. be open to people, and it’s got to be closed I appreciate very much our friend the Gov- to terrorists and criminals. And so today ernor from Michigan, John Engler, for intro- we’re taking two steps to turn this vision into ducing me. Lieutenant Governor Dick reality. Posthumus is with us today. Lieutenant Gov- I appreciate so very much the Prime Min- ernor, thanks for coming. And Candice Mil- ister, Jean Chretien, for joining us here. He ler, the Michigan secretary of state, is here has been a steadfast friend. I really enjoy as well. And I want to appreciate all the offi- dealing with him on a personal basis. He’s cials for coming. a plain-spoken fellow with a good sense of humor—probably won’t go too good up here This bridge right here is a symbol of the in Canada, but he’d be a great Texan. close and unique relationship—close and [Laughter] unique relationship—between our two na- I appreciate Tom Ridge joining us. Tom tions. This single bridge carries more trade is my adviser for Homeland Security, former than any other border crossing on this con- Governor of Pennsylvania. I want to thank tinent. And that’s saying a lot. This is a— Tom for working hard with the Deputy this is an active bridge. Thanks to the North Prime Minister John Manley from Canada, American Free Trade Agreement, more than who—both these two men work hard to— 500,000 people and over a billion dollars [applause]. The Prime Minister and I, of worth of goods cross the U.S.-Canadian bor- course, get the credit if it goes well. [Laugh- der every day. The ties of trade and travel ter] They get the blame if it doesn’t. [Laugh- and family between America and Canada are ter] The truth of the matter is, they did a closer than ever. And our countries are better lot of the work, and I want to thank both for it. of you men for working hard for what’s best Yet, nearly a year ago, we saw the terror- for our countries. ists, coldblooded killers, using our openness, I appreciate so very much the members the openness of our societies against us. We of our congressional delegation who have were awakened to threats that can arrive shown up here, Congressman Joe Knollen- across our borders. We realized, at least in berg, Carolyn Kilpatrick. I had a chance to our country, that we had become a battle- say hello to Congresswoman Kilpatrick’s little field. And we’ve got to confront those threats. boy at the airport. [Laughter] He’s doing a We have no choice but to confront the fine job as the mayor of Detroit. I know she’s threats head-on, while we preserve the free- proud of what a fine job he is doing. I want dom and the openness of our societies. to appreciate very much Congressman John We have hard-working inspectors at this Conyers as well and Sandy Levin and Nick border, and I want to thank all the folks who Smith from the—both Republicans and work hard to expedite the traffic here. 1522 Sept. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

I believe my job is to—at least on the gram here in Detroit, accepting applications American side—is to make sure that you’re from Americans and Canadians who want to able to do your jobs more effectively and to travel across the border in faster fashion. figure out how to use technologies and the With these two initiatives, we’ll ensure systems necessary so that you can do your faster movement of legal, low-risk goods and job in a better fashion. You see, we want our faster travel for people across our borders. inspectors to be able to focus on the greatest And we’ll be able to better enhance security. risks, not on legitimate trade and travel. We Our inspectors will spend less time inspect- want their time focused on stopping terror, ing law-abiding citizens and more time in- criminality. We’ve got to recognize that in- specting those who may harm us. spections create bottlenecks on both sides of We’re doing everything we can here in this bridge. That’s one of the realities. When America to protect our homeland. Along with you start looking closer, you’re going to start Canada, we’ve got some of the finest troops creating bottlenecks, and that’s not good. It’s in the world hunting down the Al Qaida kill- not good for families that want to be to- gether. It’s not good for trade and traffic. ers in Afghanistan, hunting them down one And so we’ve got to reduce the backups, and at a time, to make sure we can better secure at the same time strengthen our mutual secu- our respective countries. rity. And at home I’ve asked our Congress to So today Canada and the United States are join with me to set up a Department of launching what we call the FAST, which Homeland Security so that we can do a better stands for Free and Secure Trade. The Prime job on our borders, a better job with our first- Minister and I got to see the FAST system responders. I do not need a bunch of rules in operation. It says that American and Cana- and regulations trying to micromanage the dian companies can register their goods and process. I want the ability to be able to look their trucks and their drivers with their Gov- the American people in the eye and say, ‘‘I’m ernments and then border inspectors can re- doing everything,’’ or ‘‘we’re doing every- view this information up to an hour prior to thing we can to protect you.’’ And so the Sen- arrival. Once the agents have determined the ate, the United States Senate must not focus safety of each shipment, the trucks can cross on narrow, special interests, but must focus in special lanes, using tested technology, on the security of the American people. technology that the Prime Minister and I just And so I’m—Mr. Prime Minister, this saw. Border inspectors will be able to in- country is doing everything we can to address stantly verify the contents and identify each a common problem, and you need to know, truck as it pulls up. Stop times will be re- sir, that we’re determined, and we’re patient, duced from a few minutes to seconds, and and we’re resolved to win this war against that’s important. these terrorists, because, like you, we love We’re also announcing a second initiative freedom. We value our freedoms. We want for safer and smarter borders that will benefit to leave a legacy of freedom behind for our individual travelers. We’re dramatically ex- children and our grandchildren. panding a program to issue special photo identifications to people who are screened It’s now my honor to welcome to the po- to ensure they are not security threats to ei- dium a friend, a strong leader, the Prime ther country. These cards entitle people to Minister of our important neighbor, Jean travel across the border in dedicated lanes, Chretien. where there will be little or no delay for in- spections. We’re trying to help people cross NOTE: The President spoke at 11:41 a.m. outside the borders as quickly as possible. the U.S. Customs cargo inspection facility next to This kind of program for simplifying travel the Ambassador Bridge. In his remarks, he re- for thousands of people who regularly cross ferred to Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick of Detroit. the border is now in place in Washington— The transcript released by the Office of the Press Washington State and British Columbia. And Secretary also included the remarks of Prime Min- so, starting today, we’re launching the pro- ister Chretien. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 9 1523

Joint Statement by President George On June 28, 2002, they reported on the W. Bush and Prime Minister Jean tremendous progress that has already been Chretien on Implementation of the made in implementing the Smart Border Ac- ‘‘Smart Border’’ Declaration and tion Plan. We are on-track to implement Action Plan many action plan elements over the coming months and years, bringing continuous and September 9, 2002 steady improvement to the efficiency and se- curity of our shared border. Today, we mark Nearly one year ago, terrorists launched important milestones in two of the programs an attack on our common commitment to that are central to building a smart border. freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and an The United States and Canada have the open world economy. The United States and largest trading relationship of any two coun- Canada have responded together with the tries in the world, and more trade flows be- shared determination that has always charac- tween Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, On- terized the partnership between our two tario than through any other border crossing. great nations. Today we announce a major step forward in American and Canadian troops have ensuring the secure and efficient flow of fought side-by-side to free the Afghan people goods across the border with the opening of from Taliban rule, and to destroy the Al- registration for the Free and Secure Trade Qaeda terrorist network. Our governments (FAST) program. This revolutionary program are sharing intelligence and coordinating law partners the United States and Canadian enforcement action to address threats to our governments with the private sector to en- societies. We have partnered diplomatically, sure a secure supply chain for low-risk goods. working together at the G-8 Summit in June FAST will make many cross-border commer- to secure the commitment of the world’s cial shipments simpler, cheaper, and subject largest economies to increase the security of to fewer delays—all while enhancing secu- the global transportation and trading system. rity. FAST will be open by December 2002 Officials from dozens of American and Cana- at the following crossings: Blaine/Douglas, dian agencies have worked together with de- Detroit/Windsor, Port Huron/Sarnia, Buf- termination and dedication and our citizens falo/Fort Erie, Lewiston/Queenston, and have found countless ways to support each Champlain/Lacolle. other. The closeness of our two societies is evi- When we met on September 24th last denced by the fact that over 200 million peo- year, we resolved to prevent terrorists from ple cross our shared border every year. In undermining the national and economic se- order to allow known travelers to cross the curity of our citizens. We charged Homeland border quickly and easily, the United States Security Advisor Tom Ridge and Deputy and Canada have begun fielding a new pro- Prime Minister John Manley with coordi- gram called NEXUS that provides dedicated nating our governments’ cooperation along ‘‘fast lanes’’ for pre-approved, low-risk trav- the longest, non-militarized border in the elers. NEXUS is already running at four bor- world. They recognized the urgent need to der crossings. Today we are opening the joint enhance security in a way that strengthened NEXUS application center in Detroit. the extraordinary trading relationship be- NEXUS will be operational at both Detroit/ tween our countries and the prosperity that Windsor and Buffalo/Fort Erie beginning in it provides our citizens. January of 2003 and will be expanded to all On December 12, 2001 Governor Ridge other high-volume crossings between the two and Deputy Prime Minister Manley signed countries by the end of 2003. We have also ‘‘The Smart Border Declaration,’’ and imme- developed a NEXUS-Air program, which we diately began implementing an aggressive will begin piloting in airports in early 2003. and sweeping 30-point action plan to build A secure and efficient border is key to our a smart border for the 21st century—a bor- economic security. We must continue our ef- der that is secure and efficient; a border open forts to involve the private sector as we pro- for business but closed to terrorists. ceed with modernizing our shared border. To 1524 Sept. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 this end, Governor Ridge and Deputy Prime We will discuss today our mutual desire Minister Manley will work with our key agen- to fight terror. And I appreciate the Govern- cies and departments to ensure that they ment of Portugal for its strong support in the have in place efficient and effective mecha- war against terror. We will also discuss future nisms for consulting with the private sector. threats that we face, all of us face, the dire This will be part of an ongoing process of possibilities that outlaw regimes will develop formally involving private sector leaders in weapons of mass destruction and use them our border work. with terrorist organizations or use them on More work remains, and the United States their own against countries which love free- and Canada reaffirm our commitment to dom, countries such as Portugal. fully realize the smart border vision. Some We will discuss our relationship in NATO, of the smart border action items will take and of course, we’ve got a very important sustained cooperation, effort and investment. conference coming in NATO about the ex- We have directed Governor Ridge and Dep- pansion. I look forward to hearing the Prime uty Prime Minister Manley to continue over- Minister’s views on that important issue. seeing implementation of the Smart Border So you’re here at a perfect time—— Action Plan, and provide us periodic progress Prime Minister Durao Barroso. Thank reports. In addition, we have asked that they you. identify and initiate work in other areas President Bush. ——to discuss important where close cooperation serves our mutual issues. I value his judgment. I look forward interests, such as biosecurity and science and to his advice. technology research and development. Mr. Prime Minister, if you’d like to say Our relationship has never been stronger. a few things. We are neighbors who share a common bor- Prime Minister Durao Barroso. Okay, der, but more importantly we are neighbors thank you very much. Let me first of all thank bound together by common values: freedom, very much Mr. Bush, President Bush, for re- democracy, the rule of law, the inherent dig- ceiving me here today. I think it is very im- nity and rights of every human being. portant the United States of America and We are also neighbors who share a com- President Bush listens to the opinion of close mon mission: to protect the security and en- allies, and Portugal is a very close ally of the hance the prosperity of our citizens. Working United States. together, we will fulfill this mission. I think that it was Winston Churchill that NOTE: An original was not available for said once that: ‘‘The problem with allies is verification of the content of this joint statement. that sometimes they have opinions.’’ [Laugh- ter] And I come here to listen to President Bush, but also—— Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Bush. I’m going to listen. Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao [Laughter] Barroso of Portugal Prime Minister Durao Barroso. ——to September 10, 2002 give you my opinion, very frankly, the opin- ion of a friend, the opinion of a close ally President Bush. It’s my honor to welcome of the United States, a country that shares Prime Minister Barroso of Portugal to the the same basic values. Oval Office. He’s one of the bright young And I think at this very moment, where leaders on the international stage. And it’s there are some global threats that have to a conversation I’ve been looking forward to have a global answer, we should act globally. having with Jose. And that’s one of the messages I will convey He comes at a very interesting time. It’s to President Bush, a personality I admire a time where the world is discussing the very much for everything he represents, for present and the future. Today—tomorrow the free world, the way he has led this global we’ll be reliving a horrible reminder of what coalition against terrorism. is possible in the 21st century; that is, no And I’m very proud to be today here with country is immune from attack. you, to convey to you the deep respect of Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 10 1525 the Portuguese people—indeed, I would say, It’s important for our fellow Americans to of Europe—in all our common endeavors understand that Americans of Muslim faith against global terrorism. share the same grief that we all share from President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank what happened to our country, that they’re you all. just as proud of America as I am proud of America, that they love our country as much NOTE: The President spoke at 10:57 a.m. in the as I love our country. Oval Office at the White House. They share my profound belief that no American should be judged by appearance, Remarks at the Embassy of by ethnic background, or by religious faith. Afghanistan and an Exchange With I believe that strongly, and so do they. Bigotry is not a part of our soul. It’s not Reporters going to be a part of our future. Sure, there September 10, 2002 may be some, but that’s not the American The President. Thank you all very much. way, and we must reject bigotry of all kinds Thank you for coming. I just—please, be in this great land. In order for us to reject seated. I had the opportunity of meeting with the evil done to America on September the distinguished members of the Arab American 11th, we must reject bigotry in all its forms. and Muslim American communities, and I George Washington says, ‘‘America gives want to thank you all so very much for com- to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no as- ing to share with me your thoughts. sistance.’’ And that is true today. We treasure Like all Americans, they’re proud of our our friendship with Muslims and Arabs country; they’re proud of our military; they’re around the world. One year ago, the people proud of our allies for working together to of Afghanistan lived under oppression. Their free Afghanistan. They will never forget the country was a haven for terror. Today, they’re joy of the Afghan people who were liberated. an emergency democracy—an emerging de- They appreciate the fact that we work in con- mocracy and building a better future. And cert to destroy terrorist training camps in Af- we are proud to continue to stand by them ghanistan so that those terrorists might not and to stand with them. hurt others. They wanted to come with me Americans are helping the people of Af- to show their solidarity with the people of ghanistan in their time of hardship and need, Afghanistan and to show that America has and we will continue to do so. The United a vibrant and important and dynamic Muslim States has committed more than $700 million faith tradition. in aid to Afghanistan for food and seeds and I appreciate so very much Ziad, the presi- roads and bridges, water and sanitation sys- dent of the American Arab Anti-Defamation tems. I was most proud of the fact that Amer- League for being here. ican children from all walks of life contrib- Mr. Ambassador, thank you and your uted to the America’s Fund for Afghan Chil- sweet wife for having us here. The Ambas- dren. It was such a strong statement, of chil- sador has a fabulous story. He’s an American citizen, renounced his citizenship in order to dren uniting to help people in need. become the Ambassador of Afghanistan, to All Americans must recognize that the face serve this Nation. I appreciate that, appre- of terror is not the true faith—face of Islam. ciate your leadership. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion I want to thank Andrew Natsios, who is people around the world. It’s a faith that has with us today, who is doing a fine job of help- made brothers and sisters of every race. It’s ing people in need around the world. I want a faith based upon love, not hate. to thank—where’s Zal? There he is. Zal, As we mourn tomorrow, we must remem- thanks for coming. Zal Khalilzad is a member ber that our enemy is a radical network of of the National Security Council and very terrorists, not a religion; that governments much involved with our efforts to help Af- which support them are our enemies, not ghanistan. faithful Muslims who love their families, who 1526 Sept. 10 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 yearn for a more peaceful and safe world for President’s Upcoming United Nations their children. Address Tomorrow Americans of all faiths will Q. Thank you. I appreciate it. What do come together in a spirit of unity and remem- you think of French President Chirac’s idea brance and resolve. I call on every American to give Hussein a 3-week deadline to comply to uphold the values of America and remem- with weapons inspections or face—— ber why many have come here. In our war The President. I think—Heidi, I think it’s against terror, we must never lose sight of important that, so that you will pay attention the values that makes our country so strong, to my speech on Thursday, that I reserve the values of respect and tolerance. The judgment about what may or may not be in value that we believe that everybody ought my speech. [Applause] Even got applause— to worship the Almighty, however they so you finally got a question and applause. choose. [Laughter] Mr. Ambassador, thank you for letting me I do—I’ll have something to say, obviously, and I look forward to speaking to that inter- come by on the eve of this important day national body about—about how best we can for our country. I’m honored to be here at work together to keep the peace, how best your Embassy. to make the world a more peaceful place. Ambassador Shahryar. Thank you very And so I hope you understand that I’ll not much, Mr. President. reveal my speech ahead of time. I know that The President. May God bless you, may many are trying to find out what it is, and God bless Afghanistan. May God continue that’s your job. But my job is not to answer to bless America. you. [Laughter] I’ll answer a few questions. Jennifer [Jen- Katie, [Katie Textor] ABC. nifer Loven, Associated Press]. Q. Sir, if you decide on a military solution to Saddam Hussein, have you resigned to go Homeland Security Alert through the U.N. Security Council? Or are you determined to go it alone? Q. Yes, Mr. President, with this increased The President. Katie, thank you for asking threat level, can you say what your level of me about what’s going to be in my speech concern is that Americans will be attacked tomorrow. [Laughter] again? And what is your advice to Americans Let me get to the U.N. and give what is in this time? an important speech for me. I’ll make the The President. Well, we are—we take case of how I think we ought to proceed, every threat seriously. The threats that we on how we work together to keep the peace. have heard recently remind us of the pattern I’m going to the United Nations to give of threats we heard prior to September the this speech for a reason—because I believe 11th. We have no specific threat to America, this is an international problem and that we but we’re taking everything seriously, obvi- must work together to deal with the problem. ously. And so, therefore, we have gone to And I am also very mindful of my job as the a different level of concern, a different threat American President to do everything we can level, which means our Government will be to protect the American people from future providing extra security at key facilities and attack. that we’ll be increasing surveillance. And I’m deeply concerned about a leader We’ll do everything we can to protect the who has ignored all—who ignored the American people. And Americans need to go United Nations for all these years, has re- about their lives. They just need to know that fused to conform to resolution after resolu- their Government, at the Federal and State tion after resolution, who has weapons of mass destruction. And the battlefield has now and local level, will be on an extra level of shifted to America, so there’s a different dy- alert to protect us. namic than we’ve ever faced before. And I Heidi [Heidi Przybyla, Bloomberg]. You take these threats seriously. The thing I take haven’t asked a question in a while. most seriously is my job to protect innocent Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 11 1527 life here on the homeland, and I will respond dren—left behind family and friends whose to this threat starting Thursday. And I look loss cannot be weighed. The murder of inno- forward to the chance to do so. cence cannot be explained, only endured. In the meantime, tomorrow is going to be And though they died in tragedy, they did a hard day for a lot of Americans. It’s going not die in vain. to be a day of tears and a day of prayer and Their loss has moved a nation to action, a day of national resolve. It also needs to be in a cause to defend other innocent lives a day in which we confirm the values which across the world. This war is waged on many make us unique and great. And that’s one fronts. We’ve captured more than 2,000 ter- of the reasons I came here today, to be with rorists; a larger number of killers have met friends to assure all Americans that we will embrace those values. their end in combat. We’ve seized millions So thank you all for coming. God bless. in terrorist assets. We’re reorganizing the Federal Government to protect the home- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:15 p.m. outside land. Yet, there’s a great deal left to do. And the Embassy. In his remarks, he referred to Ziad the greatest tasks and the greatest dangers Asali, president, American-Arab Anti-Discrimina- will fall to the Armed Forces of the United tion Committee; and Afghan Ambassador to the States. U.S. Ishaq Shahryar, and his wife, Hafizah. A re- porter referred to President Jacques Chirac of I came to the Presidency with respect for France and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. all who wear America’s uniform. Every day as your Commander in Chief, my respect and that of our Nation has deepened. I have great Remarks at the Pentagon in confidence in every man and women who Arlington, Virginia wears the uniform of the United States of September 11, 2002 America. I am proud of all who have fought on my orders, and this Nation honors all who One year ago, men and women and chil- died in our cause. dren were killed here because they were Americans and because this place is a symbol Wherever our military is sent in the world, to the world of our country’s might and re- you bring hope and justice and promise of solve. Today we remember each life. We re- a better day. You are worthy of the traditions dedicate this proud symbol, and we renew you represent, the uniform you wear, the our commitment to win the war that began ideals you serve. America is counting on you, here. and our confidence is well placed. The terrorists chose this target hoping to What happened to our Nation on a Sep- demoralize our country. They failed. Within tember day set in motion the first great strug- minutes, brave men and women were res- gle of a new century. The enemies who cuing their comrades. Within hours, in this struck us are determined, and they are re- building, the planning began for a military sourceful. They will not be stopped by a response. Within weeks, commands went sense of decency or a hint of conscience, but forth from this place that would clear ter- they will be stopped. rorist camps and caves and liberate a nation. A greater force is amassed against them. And within one year, this great building has They are opposed by freedom-loving people been made whole once again. Many civilian and military personnel have in many lands. They are opposed by our allies now returned to offices they occupied before who have fought bravely by our side. And the attack. The Pentagon is a working build- as long as terrorists and dictators plot against ing, not a memorial. Yet, the memories of our lives and our liberty, they will be opposed a great tragedy linger here. And for all who by the United States Army, Navy, Coast knew loss here, life is not the same. Guard, Air Force, and Marines. The 184 whose lives were taken in this We fight as Americans have always fought, place—veterans and recruits, soldiers and ci- not just for ourselves but for the security of vilians, husbands and wives, parents and chil- our friends and for peace in the world. We 1528 Sept. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 fight for the dignity of life against fanatics care and compassion our citizens show to who feel no shame in murder. We fight to each other. protect the innocent, so that the lawless and September the 11th, 2001, will always be the merciless will not inherit the earth. a fixed point in the life of America. The loss At every turn of this war, we will always of so many lives left us to examine our own. remember how it began, and who fell first— Each of us was reminded that we are here the thousands who went to work, boarded only for a time, and these counted days a plane, or reported to their posts. should be filled with things that last and mat- Today the Nation pays our respects to ter: Love for our families, love for our neigh- them. Here and in Pennsylvania and in New bors, and for our country; gratitude for life York, we honor each name and each life. We and to the Giver of life. ask God to bring comfort to every home We resolved a year ago to honor every last where they are loved and missed. And on person lost. We owe them remembrance, and this day and on every day, may He watch we owe them more. We owe them and their over the United States of America. children and our own, the most enduring God bless. monument we can build, a world of liberty NOTE: The President spoke at 10:05 a.m. at the and security made possible by the way Amer- September 11, 2001, crash site. The Office of the ica leads and by the way Americans lead our Press Secretary also released a Spanish language lives. transcript of these remarks. The attack on our Nation was also attack on the ideals that make us a nation. Our Address to the Nation on the deepest national conviction is that every life Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks is precious, because every life is the gift of a Creator who intended us to live in liberty of September 11 From Ellis Island, and equality. More than anything else, this New York separates us from the enemy we fight. We September 11, 2002 value every life. Our enemies value none, not even the innocent, not even their own. And Good evening. A long year has passed since enemies attacked our country. We’ve we seek the freedom and opportunity that seen the images so many times, they are give meaning and value to life. seared on our souls, and remembering the There is a line in our time and in every horror, reliving the anguish, re-imagining the time between those who believe that all men terror is hard and painful. are created equal and those who believe that For those who lost loved ones, it’s been some men and women and children are ex- a year of sorrow, of empty places, of newborn pendable in the pursuit of power. There is children who will never know their fathers a line in our time and in every time between here on Earth. For members of our military, the defenders of human liberty and those it’s been a year of sacrifice and service far who seek to master the minds and souls of from home. For all Americans, it has been others. Our generation has now heard his- a year of adjustment, of coming to terms with tory’s call, and we will answer it. the difficult knowledge that our Nation has America has entered a great struggle that determined enemies and that we are not in- tests our strength and, even more, our re- vulnerable to their attacks. solve. Our Nation is patient and steadfast. Yet, in the events that have challenged us, We continue to pursue the terrorists in cities we have also seen the character that will de- and camps and caves across the Earth. We liver us. We have seen the greatness of Amer- are joined by a great coalition of nations to ica in airline passengers who defied their hi- rid the world of terror. And we will not allow jackers and ran a plane into the ground to any terrorist or tyrant to threaten civilization spare the lives of others. We’ve seen the with weapons of mass murder. Now and in greatness of America in rescuers who rushed the future, Americans will live as free people, up flights of stairs toward peril. And we con- not in fear and never at the mercy of any tinue to see the greatness of America in the foreign plot or power. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 12 1529

This Nation has defeated tyrants and liber- men: We meet one year and one day after ated death camps, raised this lamp of liberty a terrorist attack brought grief to my country to every captive land. We have no intention and brought grief to many citizens of our of ignoring or appeasing history’s latest gang world. Yesterday we remembered the inno- of fanatics trying to murder their way to cent lives taken that terrible morning. Today power. They are discovering, as others before we turn to the urgent duty of protecting them, the resolve of a great country and a other lives, without illusion and without fear. great democracy. In the ruins of two towers, We’ve accomplished much in the last year under a flag unfurled at the Pentagon, at the in Afghanistan and beyond. We have much funerals of the lost, we have made a sacred yet to do in Afghanistan and beyond. Many promise to ourselves and to the world: We nations represented here have joined in the will not relent until justice is done and our fight against global terror, and the people of Nation is secure. What our enemies have the United States are grateful. begun, we will finish. The United Nations was born in the hope I believe there is a reason that history has that survived a world war, the hope of a world matched this Nation with this time. America moving toward justice, escaping old patterns strives to be tolerant and just. We respect of conflict and fear. The founding members the faith of Islam, even as we fight those resolved that the peace of the world must whose actions defile that faith. We fight not never again be destroyed by the will and to impose our will but to defend ourselves wickedness of any man. We created a United and extend the blessings of freedom. Nations Security Council so that, unlike the We cannot know all that lies ahead. Yet, League of Nations, our deliberations would we do know that God has placed us together be more than talk, our resolutions would be in this moment, to grieve together, to stand more than wishes. After generations of de- together, to serve each other and our coun- ceitful dictators and broken treaties and try. And the duty we have been given, de- squandered lives, we dedicated ourselves to fending America and our freedom, is also a standards of human dignity shared by all and privilege we share. We’re prepared for this to a system of security defended by all. journey. And our prayer tonight is that God Today, these standards and this security will see us through and keep us worthy. are challenged. Our commitment to human Tomorrow is September the 12th. A mile- dignity is challenged by persistent poverty stone is passed, and a mission goes on. Be and raging disease. The suffering is great, confident. Our country is strong, and our and our responsibilities are clear. The United cause is even larger than our country. Ours States is joining with the world to supply aid is the cause of human dignity, freedom guid- where it reaches people and lifts up lives, ed by conscience and guarded by peace. This to extend trade and the prosperity it brings, ideal of America is the hope of all mankind. and to bring medical care where it is des- That hope drew millions to this harbor. That perately needed. hope still lights our way. And the light shines As a symbol of our commitment to human in the darkness. And the darkness will not dignity, the United States will return to overcome it. UNESCO. This organization has been re- May God bless America. formed, and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights and tol- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:01 p.m. The Of- fice of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish erance and learning. language transcript of this address. Our common security is challenged by re- gional conflicts—ethnic and religious strife that is ancient but not inevitable. In the Mid- Address to the United Nations dle East, there can be no peace for either General Assembly in New York City side without freedom for both sides. America September 12, 2002 stands committed to an independent and democratic Palestine, living side by side with Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. President, dis- Israel in peace and security. Like all other tinguished delegates, and ladies and gentle- people, Palestinians deserve a government 1530 Sept. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 that serves their interests and listens to their commit extremely grave violations of human voices. My Nation will continue to encourage rights and that the regime’s repression is all all parties to step up to their responsibilities pervasive. Tens of thousands of political op- as we seek a just and comprehensive settle- ponents and ordinary citizens have been sub- ment to the conflict. jected to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, Above all, our principles and our security summary execution, and torture by beating are challenged today by outlaw groups and and burning, electric shock, starvation, muti- regimes that accept no law of morality and lation, and rape. Wives are tortured in front have no limit to their violent ambitions. In of their husbands, children in the presence the attacks on America a year ago, we saw of their parents, and all of these horrors con- the destructive intentions of our enemies. cealed from the world by the apparatus of This threat hides within many nations, in- a totalitarian state. cluding my own. In cells and camps, terror- In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, ists are plotting further destruction and through Resolutions 686 and 687, demanded building new bases for their war against civili- that Iraq return all prisoners from Kuwait zation. And our greatest fear is that terrorists and other lands. Iraq’s regime agreed. It will find a shortcut to their mad ambitions broke this promise. Last year, the Secretary- when an outlaw regime supplies them with General’s high-level coordinator for this issue the technologies to kill on a massive scale. reported that Kuwaiti, Saudi, Indian, Syrian, In one place—in one regime—we find all Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Bahraini, and these dangers in their most lethal and aggres- Omani nationals remain unaccounted for— sive forms, exactly the kind of aggressive more than 600 people. One American pilot threat the United Nations was born to con- is among them. front. In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, Twelve years ago, Iraq invaded Kuwait through Resolution 687, demanded that Iraq without provocation, and the regime’s forces renounce all involvement with terrorism and were poised to continue their march to seize permit no terrorist organizations to operate other countries and their resources. Had in Iraq. Iraq’s regime agreed. It broke this Saddam Hussein been appeased instead of promise. In violation of Security Council stopped, he would have endangered the Resolution 1373, Iraq continues to shelter peace and stability of the world. Yet this ag- and support terrorist organizations that direct gression was stopped by the might of coali- violence against Iran, Israel, and Western tion forces and the will of the United Na- governments. Iraqi dissidents abroad are tar- tions. geted for murder. In 1993, Iraq attempted To suspend hostilities, to spare himself, to assassinate the Amir of Kuwait and a Iraq’s dictator accepted a series of commit- former American President. Iraq’s Govern- ments. The terms were clear to him and to ment openly praised the attacks of Sep- all, and he agreed to prove he is complying tember the 11th, and Al Qaida terrorists es- with every one of those obligations. He has caped from Afghanistan and are known to proven instead only his contempt for the be in Iraq. United Nations and for all his pledges. By In 1991, the Iraqi regime agreed to destroy breaking every pledge, by his deceptions, and and stop developing all weapons of mass de- by his cruelties, Saddam Hussein has made struction and long-range missiles and to the case against himself. prove to the world it has done so by com- In 1991, Security Council Resolution 688 plying with rigorous inspections. Iraq has demanded that the Iraqi regime cease at broken every aspect of this fundamental once the repression of its own people, includ- pledge. ing the systematic repression of minorities, From 1991 to 1995, the Iraqi regime said which the Council said threatened inter- it had no biological weapons. After a senior national peace and security in the region. official in its weapons program defected and This demand goes ignored. exposed this lie, the regime admitted to pro- Last year, the U.N. Commission on ducing tens of thousands of liters of anthrax Human Rights found that Iraq continues to and other deadly biological agents for use Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 12 1531 with Scud warheads, aerial bombs, and air- buy missile technology and military mate- craft spray tanks. U.N. inspectors believe rials. He blames the suffering of Iraq’s peo- Iraq has produced 2 to 4 times the amount ple on the United Nations, even as he uses of biological agents it declared and has failed his oil wealth to build lavish palaces for him- to account for more than three metric tons self and to buy arms for his country. By refus- of material that could be used to produce ing to comply with his own agreements, he biological weapons. Right now, Iraq is ex- bears full guilt for the hunger and misery of panding and improving facilities that were innocent Iraqi citizens. used for the production of biological weap- In 1991, Iraq promised U.N. inspectors ons. United Nations’ inspections also re- immediate and unrestricted access to verify vealed that Iraq likely maintains stockpiles Iraq’s commitment to rid itself of weapons of VX, mustard, and other chemical agents, of mass destruction and long-range missiles. and that the regime is rebuilding and expand- Iraq broke this promise, spending 7 years de- ing facilities capable of producing chemical ceiving, evading, and harassing U.N. inspec- weapons. tors before ceasing cooperation entirely. Just And in 1995, after 4 years of deception, months after the 1991 ceasefire, the Security Iraq finally admitted it had a crash nuclear Council twice renewed its demand that the weapons program prior to the Gulf war. We Iraqi regime cooperate fully with inspectors, know now, were it not for that war, the re- condemning Iraq’s serious violations of its gime in Iraq would likely have possessed a obligations. The Security Council again re- nuclear weapon no later than 1993. newed that demand in 1994 and twice more Today, Iraq continues to withhold impor- in 1996, deploring Iraq’s clear violations of tant information about its nuclear program, its obligations. The Security Council renewed weapons design, procurement logs, experi- its demand three more times in 1997, citing ment data, an accounting of nuclear mate- flagrant violations, and three more times in rials, and documentation of foreign assist- 1998, calling Iraq’s behavior totally unaccept- ance. Iraq employs capable nuclear scientists able. And in 1999, the demand was renewed and technicians. It retains physical infrastruc- yet again. ture needed to build a nuclear weapon. Iraq As we meet today, it’s been almost 4 years has made several attempts to buy high- since the last U.N. inspectors set foot in Iraq, strength aluminum tubes used to enrich ura- 4 years for the Iraqi regime to plan and to nium for a nuclear weapon. Should Iraq ac- build and to test behind the cloak of secrecy. quire fissile material, it would be able to We know that Saddam Hussein pursued build a nuclear weapon within a year. And weapons of mass murder even when inspec- Iraq’s state-controlled media has reported tors were in his country. Are we to assume numerous meetings between Saddam Hus- that he stopped when they left? The history, sein and his nuclear scientists, leaving little the logic, and the facts lead to one conclu- doubt about his continued appetite for these sion: Saddam Hussein’s regime is a grave and weapons. gathering danger. To suggest otherwise is to Iraq also possesses a force of Scud-type hope against the evidence. To assume this missiles with ranges beyond the 150 kilo- regime’s good faith is to bet the lives of mil- meters permitted by the U.N. Work at test- lions and the peace of the world in a reckless ing and production facilities shows that Iraq gamble. And this is a risk we must not take. is building more long-range missiles that it Delegates to the General Assembly, we can inflict mass death throughout the region. have been more than patient. We’ve tried In 1990, after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, sanctions. We’ve tried the carrot of oil for the world imposed economic sanctions on food and the stick of coalition military strikes. Iraq. Those sanctions were maintained after But Saddam Hussein has defied all these ef- the war to compel the regime’s compliance forts and continues to develop weapons of with Security Council resolutions. In time, mass destruction. The first time we may be Iraq was allowed to use oil revenues to buy completely certain he has a—nuclear weap- food. Saddam Hussein has subverted this ons is when, God forbids, he uses one. We program, working around the sanctions to owe it to all our citizens to do everything 1532 Sept. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 in our power to prevent that day from com- If all these steps are taken, it will signal ing. a new openness and accountability in Iraq. The conduct of the Iraqi regime is a threat And it could open the prospect of the United to the authority of the United Nations and Nations helping to build a government that a threat to peace. Iraq has answered a decade represents all Iraqis, a government based on of U.N. demands with a decade of defiance. respect for human rights, economic liberty, All the world now faces a test and the United and internationally supervised elections. Nations a difficult and defining moment. Are The United States has no quarrel with the Security Council resolutions to be honored Iraqi people. They’ve suffered too long in si- and enforced or cast aside without con- lent captivity. Liberty for the Iraqi people sequence? Will the United Nations serve the is a great moral cause and a great strategic purpose of its founding, or will it be irrele- goal. The people of Iraq deserve it; the secu- vant? rity of all nations requires it. Free societies The United States helped found the do not intimidate through cruelty and con- United Nations. We want the United Nations quest, and open societies do not threaten the to be effective and respectful and successful. world with mass murder. The United States We want the resolutions of the world’s most supports political and economic liberty in a important multilateral body to be enforced. unified Iraq. And right now those resolutions are being We can harbor no illusions, and that’s im- unilaterally subverted by the Iraqi regime. portant today to remember. Saddam Hussein Our partnership of nations can meet the test attacked Iran in 1980 and Kuwait in 1990. before us by making clear what we now ex- He’s fired ballistic missiles at Iran and Saudi pect of the Iraqi regime. Arabia, Bahrain, and Israel. His regime once If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will ordered the killing of every person between immediately and unconditionally forswear, the ages of 15 and 70 in certain Kurdish vil- disclose, and remove or destroy all weapons lages in northern Iraq. He has gassed many of mass destruction, long-range missiles, and Iranians and 40 Iraqi villages. all related material. My Nation will work with the U.N. Secu- If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will rity Council to meet our common challenge. immediately end all support for terrorism If Iraq’s regime defies us again, the world and act to suppress it, as all states are re- must move deliberately, decisively to hold quired to do by U.N. Security Council reso- Iraq to account. We will work with the U.N. lutions. Security Council for the necessary resolu- If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will tions. But the purposes of the United States cease persecution of its civilian population, should not be doubted. The Security Council including Shi’a, Sunnis, Kurds, Turkomans, resolutions will be enforced, the just de- and others, again as required by Security mands of peace and security will be met, or Council resolutions. action will be unavoidable. And a regime that If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power. release or account for all Gulf war personnel Events can turn in one of two ways: If we whose fate is still unknown. It will return the fail to act in the face of danger, the people remains of any who are deceased, return sto- of Iraq will continue to live in brutal submis- len property, accept liability for losses result- sion; the regime will have new power to bully ing from the invasion of Kuwait, and fully and dominate and conquer its neighbors, cooperate with international efforts to re- condemning the Middle East to more years solve these issues, as required by Security of bloodshed and fear; the regime will remain Council resolutions. unstable—the region will remain unstable, If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will with little hope of freedom, and isolated from immediately end all illicit trade outside the the progress of our times. With every step oil-for-food program. It will accept U.N. ad- the Iraqi regime takes toward gaining and ministration of funds from that program, to deploying the most terrible weapons, our ensure that the money is used fairly and own options to confront that regime will nar- promptly for the benefit of the Iraqi people. row. And if an emboldened regime were to Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 12 1533 supply these weapons to terrorist allies, then that you love freedom and that you are work- the attacks of September the 11th would be ing hard to make your country more secure. a prelude to far greater horrors. And we appreciate your leadership. We also If we meet our responsibilities, if we over- appreciate your understanding that jobs are come this danger, we can arrive at a very important for your country. And today I had different future. The people of Iraq can the honor of informing President Karzai that shake off their captivity. They can one day the United States, along with Saudi Arabia join a democratic Afghanistan and a demo- and Japan, will be providing $180 million for cratic Palestine, inspiring reforms throughout road improvement projects in Afghanistan. the Muslim world. These nations can show We’ll help develop a modern infrastructure by their example that honest government and so that the Afghan entrepreneur will be able respect for women and the great Islamic tra- to move product from one city to the next dition of learning can triumph in the Middle and so that people will be able to find work; East and beyond. And we will show that the people will be able to put food on the table. promise of the United Nations can be ful- Our commitment to a stable and free and filled in our time. peaceful Afghanistan is a long-term commit- Neither of these outcomes is certain. Both ment, Mr. President, and we’re confident in have been set before us. We must choose your leadership. And I want to thank you between a world of fear and a world of progress. We cannot stand by and do nothing again. It’s good to see you again. while dangers gather. We must stand up for President Hamid Karzai. Thank you. our security and for the permanent rights and Good to see you. the hopes of mankind. By heritage and by Well, Mr. President, I’m very happy to be choice, the United States of America will meeting with you again, after the meeting make that stand. And delegates to the United in January. We are, as before, very, very Nations, you have the power to make that grateful for the help the United States of stand as well. America gave to Afghanistan to liberate itself Thank you very much. from the scourge, from the occupation of ter- rorism that murdered and killed and de- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:39 a.m. in the stroyed our country for so many years, that General Assembly Hall at the United Nations brought about the disaster in New York and Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to Sec- retary-General Kofi Annan and General Assembly your own country. The Afghan people con- President Jan Kavan of the United Nations; Presi- tinue to share that pain with you. And I came dent Saddam Hussein of Iraq; Yuli Vorontsov, here earlier than the General Assembly to High-Level Coordinator for the Return of Missing participate, to mourn that date. And we’ve Property and Missing Persons from Iraq to Ku- had a commemoration of that in Kabul as wait; missing American pilot Lt. Comdr. Michael well, yesterday. S. Speicher, USN; former President George Bush; The Afghan people know the help that you and Amir al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah of Kuwait. have given to us, and the Afghan people will The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks. know the announcement that you’ve just made. They’ll be very happy. Mr. President, I assure you that you will find the Afghan Remarks Prior to Discussions With people as your very best partners in the fight President Hamid Karzai of against terrorism. And as your very best part- Afghanistan in New York City ners wherever you bring justice in this part September 12, 2002 of the world, we’ll be with you. The Afghan people, as you rightly say, would like to have President Bush. Mr. President, it’s great some bread on their table, and they would to see you again. Thank you for your leader- also like to, in some time, to make that bread ship. themselves, to earn it themselves. Our Government believes you’re doing a So the help that you are giving us to have really fine job of setting a vision for the Af- our highways, to have other infrastructure ghan people and leading towards that vision, correct in the country is a step in the right 1534 Sept. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 direction towards self-reliance in Afghani- repatriation and resettlement of refugees and stan. And I must thank you very much once the internally displaced. again. While these challenges continue, it is now President Bush. Thank you, sir. time for the international community to take strong, visible steps to begin Afghanistan’s NOTE: The President spoke at 12:13 p.m. at the physical reconstruction. Traditionally, Af- United States Mission at the United Nations ghanistan’s key unifying transportation artery Headquarters. The Office of the Press Secretary has been the road connecting Kabul in the also released a Spanish language transcript of east to Herat in the west. This is the key these remarks. link in Afghanistan’s ‘‘ring road’’ which also connects its northern provinces with the cap- Joint Statement on Road ital. Construction in Afghanistan by the To launch the reconstruction of this key President of the United States, the transportation network, which now lies in ruins, the United States, Japan, and Saudi Prime Minister of Japan, and the Arabia are committing today to reconstruct Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia the road from Kabul, through Kandahar, to September 12, 2002 Herat to international standards. We invite others to join us in this project. But to make Since the horrific events of September 11, clear our determination, the United States 2001, the Governments of the United States, is today committing eighty million dollars to- Japan, and Saudi Arabia have worked to- ward this project, Japan is committing fifty gether both on ridding the world of the million dollars focusing its effort on the road scourge of terrorism and, following the suc- from Kabul to Kandahar, and Saudi Arabia cess of Operation Enduring Freedom, sup- is also committing fifty million dollars. Taken porting Afghanistan’s Transitional Adminis- tration, led by President Hamid Karzai. With together, this initial funding alone should Japan, our joint work on this endeavor grows complete the bulk of this roadway. from the close bilateral relationship that has Because it is essential for Afghanistan’s long existed between our peoples and our people to see the fruits of their government’s governments as reflected in the U.S.-Japan work and the commitment of Saudi Arabia, Partnership for Security and Prosperity, Japan and the United States made real, we based on our shared values, mutual trust and intend to begin initial construction before friendship, reaffirmed at Camp David in winter sets in and will make every effort to June 2001. Similarly, the United States and complete the entire highway—from Kabul to Saudi Arabia have built a strong bilateral re- Kandahar to Herat—within thirty-six lationship over the past 60 years based on months. mutual trust and respect and a common vi- We intend to use this project to foster op- sion of a just, peaceful, and prosperous portunity for economic growth and pros- world. perity in Afghanistan. It is our belief that this In November 2001, the United States, road, along with others that will connect Af- Saudi Arabia, and Japan foresaw the need ghanistan to its neighbors north and south, for the community of nations effectively to can set the stage for a complete transpor- plan how to provide humanitarian relief and tation system, the lowering of tariff and other reconstruction for Afghanistan as the Taliban barriers to trade, and the establishment of fell from power. This culminated in the links through Afghanistan from the Indian Tokyo Pledging Conference in January 2002, Ocean to Central Asia and from the Caspian which yielded 4.5 billion dollars in pledges Basin to the Far East. With this vision in to finance Afghanistan’s humanitarian and mind, we look forward to the day that Af- reconstruction needs over the next five years. ghanistan regains its place along the ‘‘Silk Our governments have acted as leaders in Road’’ connecting East and West in a high- the international community to address the way of mutual understanding, commerce, humanitarian needs of Afghanistan, including and peace. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 12 1535

NOTE: An original was not available for Statement on Proposed Legislation verification of the content of this joint statement. To Implement the Healthy Forests Initiative September 12, 2002 Remarks at a Luncheon Honoring Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the Just 3 weeks ago, I visited Oregon to see United Nations in New York City firsthand the devastating effects of the cata- strophic wildfires that have burned more September 12, 2002 than 6 million acres of forests across the West this summer. I also announced a new and The President. Mr. Secretary-General, commonsense initiative to restore forest and distinguished members of the United health and prevent these unnaturally severe Nations community, excellencies, ladies and fires. I directed Secretaries Veneman and gentlemen, welcome to New York. My coun- Norton to work with Congress to develop try is honored to be the home of the United legislation to address the crisis in forest and Nations. And I’m honored to be with you rangeland health that has put more than 190 today for the opening week of the 57th Ses- million acres of public land—an area twice sion of the U.N. General Assembly. the size of California—at risk of catastrophic We gather in a city that was changed for- fires. We have a simple choice: We can act ever by the events of one year and one day now to protect these forests, or we can stand ago. Secretary-General, the people of the by and watch them burn. Secretaries Norton United States will never forget your leader- and Veneman delivered to Congress a legisla- ship in the days following September the tive package that meets our responsibility to 11th. Within a day, the General Assembly reduce fire risks quickly in high-priority strongly condemned the terror, and very areas, and I am very pleased that this pro- quickly the U.N. took strong action to sup- posal was introduced in the House of Rep- port and strengthen a global coalition against resentatives today. There is bipartisan agree- global terror. The United States is grateful ment that public lands of the West are des- to the U.N. and to every person and every perately in need of active management ef- nation that has joined this cause. forts to restore forest and rangeland health. We gather to address the urgent chal- I call upon Congress to act upon this urgent lenges of a world awakened to danger. Mr. priority as quickly as possible. Secretary-General, thanks to your leadership, the U.N. is playing a valuable role in meeting Remarks at a Reception for Heads of these challenges. The U.N. Charter commits United Nations General Assembly each nation here to promoting social progress Delegations in New York City and better standards of life in larger freedom. Today we rededicate ourselves to these September 12, 2002 ideals. Mr. Secretary-General, I offer a toast to Thank you all very much. Please be seated. you to continued cooperation between the Laura and I appreciate you all coming. It’s United States and the United Nations. an honor to be with you tonight. I want to apologize for the photo line taking so long. [At this point, the participants drank a toast.] I’m the person to blame; I talked too much. But thank you for coming. I appreciate so The President. Thank you. Let’s eat. very much all the Presidents who are here and the Prime Ministers who are here and the Foreign Ministers who are here, the Am- bassadors to U.N. who are here. I want to NOTE: The President spoke at 1:39 p.m. in the thank my citizens from our country who are U.N. Delegates Lounge at United Nations Head- here. I appreciate John Negroponte, the Am- quarters. bassador to the United Nations. I want to 1536 Sept. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 thank the Members of the United States In one short remarkable year, the Winter Congress who are here. I see one, two, three, Garden has been reborn. The speed and suc- four, five—they’re everywhere. These guy cess of this rebuilding effort is a testament know a good free meal when they see one. to the optimism and determination of the [Laughter] people of New York and the people of the I especially want to say a word of phrase world. More than one million pounds of mar- to Kofi Annan, who is the Secretary-General ble for this building was quarried in Italy and of the United Nations, for his strong leader- Spain. As one quarry official stated, ‘‘We ship and his good heart and his decency. I didn’t consider this a job. It was a duty.’’ enjoy working with him a lot. He’s a class Now the world is called to urgent duties. act, as we say in the State of Texas, and I We’re called upon to reaffirm great founding know you all agree with me in that. purposes of the United Nations, universal We gather tonight here in a place—right standards of human dignity, and a global sys- next to a place of great tragedy and great tem of peace and security. We’re called to sorrow. And we also gather in a garden of confront great challenges to these ideals, great hope and renewal. From this room, we from poverty and disease to terror and the can view the empty space where these mag- aggression of tyrants. nificent towers once stood and remember By our determination, by our faith, by co- those who perished one year and one day operation, we can and we will meet these ago. And in this room, we see and feel the tests. And by our efforts, we will lift the lives common commitment of our nations to build of people on every continent. a better world, to work hard to see to it that Thank you all for coming tonight. May good can overcome evil. God bless your countries, and may God bring Ever since it opened in 1988, the Winter peace to the world. Garden has been one of New York’s most NOTE: The President spoke at 8:55 p.m. in the beautiful public spaces, a place where people Winter Garden at the World Financial Center. gathered to hear music and view art against the backdrop of one of the world’s greatest skylines. September the 11th, in just a few Notice—Continuation of the moments, that skyline was a scene of fire and National Emergency With Respect to murder. This atrium was filled with steel and Certain Terrorist Attacks glass, and history turned a page. Scores of September 12, 2002 nations lost citizens that day. And in the 366 days since, scores of nations have committed In accordance with section 202(d) of the themselves to confronting and combating the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. threat of global terror. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the na- Our nations have enjoyed—have em- tional emergency I declared on September ployed the powers of law enforcement, of di- 14, 2001, in Proclamation 7463, with respect plomacy, military force, and financial con- to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade trols to bring justice, not to seek revenge but Center, New York, New York, and the Pen- to bring justice, and to prevent further at- tagon, and the continuing and immediate tacks. Much has been accomplished, and it’s threat of further attacks on the United States. important to remember much remains to be By Executive Order 13223 of September done. 14, 2001, and Executive Order 13253 of Jan- On behalf of the people of the United uary 16, 2002, I delegated authority to the States, on behalf of the good people of this Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of land, I want to thank every nation that has Transportation to order members of the Re- joined us in this great global struggle. serve Components to active duty and to The terrible losses of September the 11th waive certain statutory military personnel re- are close to our thoughts tonight, but so are quirements. By Executive Order 13235 of the common hopes of our nations for a better November 16, 2001, I delegated authority to world, a world beyond terror. And again, this the Secretary of Defense to exercise certain room is a powerful symbol of these hopes. emergency construction authority. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 13 1537

Because the terrorist threat continues, the The President. I am highly doubtful that national emergency declared on September he’ll meet our demands. I hope he does, but 14, 2001, and the measures taken on Sep- I’m highly doubtful. The reason I’m doubtful tember 14, 2001, November 16, 2001, and is he’s had 11 years to meet the demands. January 16, 2002, to deal with that emer- For 11 long years he has basically told the gency, must continue in effect beyond Sep- United Nations and the world he doesn’t tember 14, 2002. Therefore, I am continuing care. And so, therefore, I am doubtful but, in effect for 1 year the national emergency nevertheless, made the decision to move for- I declared on September 14, 2001, with re- ward to work with the world community. And spect to the terrorist threat. I hope the world community knows that This notice shall be published in the Fed- we’re extremely serious about what I said eral Register and transmitted to the Con- yesterday, and we expect quick resolution to gress. the issue. And that’s starting with quick ac- George W. Bush tion on a resolution. Randy [Randy Mikkelsen, Reuters]. The White House, September 12, 2002. United Nations Resolution Q. Yes, sir, how soon are you expecting [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, the resolution from the United Nations? In 11:59 a.m., September 12, 2002] a week, month, days? NOTE: This notice was released by the Office of The President. As soon as possible. the Press Secretary on September 13 and pub- Q. And how—what kind of deadline would lished in the Federal Register on September 13. you perceive within that resolution? The President. Well, there will be dead- lines within the resolution. Our chief nego- Remarks Prior to Discussions With tiator for the United States, our Secretary of Central African Leaders and an State, understands that we must have dead- Exchange With Reporters in New lines. And we’re talking days and weeks, not York City months and years. And that’s essential for the September 13, 2002 security of the world. This man has had 11 years to comply. For 11 long years, he’s ig- The President. Thank you all for coming. nored world opinion, and he’s put the credi- First, I’m honored to be able to meet with bility of the United Nations on line. my colleagues from Central Africa. The Sec- As I said yesterday, we’ll determine—how retary of State and I look forward to a very we deal with this problem will help deter- frank and constructive dialog about how to mine the fate of a multilateral body, which continue our common pursuit against terror has been unilaterally ignored by Saddam and how we will work together to promote Hussein. Will this body be able to keep the prosperity. I look forward to constructive dia- peace and deal with the true threats, includ- log. So thank you all for coming. ing threats to security in Central African and Before we begin our discussion, let me an- other parts of the world, or will it be irrele- swer a few questions. Are the interpreters vant? working right now? They are? Yours isn’t Judy Keen [USA Today]. working, okay. Before we begin our dialog, I’ll take three questions from the American Timing of Congressional Action/Russian press corps, starting with Mr. Fournier, who President Putin writes for the Associated Press. Q. Mr. President, thank you. Are you con- cerned that Democrats in Congress still don’t President Saddam Hussein of Iraq want a vote there until after U.N. action? Q. Thank you, sir. Knowing what you know And secondly, have you spoken with Presi- about Saddam, what are the odds that he’s dent Putin since your speech yesterday? going to meet all your demands and avoid The President. I have not spoken to Presi- confrontation? dent Putin since my speech. I did speak to 1538 Sept. 13 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 his Foreign Minister, as did Colin Powell. nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and I’ll speak to President Putin, I’m confident, not included elsewhere in this issue. soon. I’ll have—I think we’ve got a scheduled phone call, actually. And the first part of the question was, September 8 Democrats waiting for the U.N. to act? I During the day, the President returned can’t imagine an elected United States— from Camp David, MD, to Washington, DC. elected Member of the United States Senate or House of Representatives saying, ‘‘I think September 9 I’m going to wait for the United Nations to In the morning, the President had intel- make a decision.’’ It seems like to me that ligence and FBI briefings. Later, he had sep- if you’re representing the United States, you arate telephone conversations with President ought to be making a decision on what’s best Ahmet Necdet Sezer of Turkey, U.N. Sec- for the United States. If I were running for retary-General Kofi Annan, and Prime Min- office, I’m not sure how I’d explain to the ister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark, American people—say, ‘‘Vote for me, and, in his capacity as President of the European oh, by the way, on a matter of national secu- Union, to discuss the situation in Iraq. rity, I think I’m going to wait for somebody Later in the morning, the President trav- else to act.’’ eled to Detroit, MI, where he met with And so I—we’ll see. My answer to the Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada. He Congress is, they need to debate this issue then toured the U.S. Customs cargo inspec- and consult with us and get the issue done tion facility next to the Ambassador Bridge. as quickly as possible. It’s in our national in- In the afternoon, the President returned terests that we do so. I don’t imagine Saddam to Washington, DC. Hussein sitting around, saying, ‘‘Gosh, I think During the day, the President had separate I’m going to wait for some resolution.’’ He’s telephone conversations with NATO Sec- a threat that we must deal with as quickly retary General Lord Robertson, President as possible. Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, and Crown Prince Thank you all. Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to discuss the situa- tion in Iraq. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:15 a.m. at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. In his remarks, he referred In the evening, the President and Mrs. to Foreign Minister Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov of Bush attended the Concert for America at Russia. Participating in the meeting were: Presi- the John F. Kennedy Center for the Per- dent Pierre Buyoya of Burundi; President Paul forming Arts. Biya of Cameroon; President Ange-Felix Patasse of the Central African Republic; President Idriss September 10 Deby of Chad; President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; President In the morning, the President met with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial the National Security Council and had intel- Guinea; President El Hadj Omar Bongo of ligence and FBI briefings. Gabon; President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Later, the President had separate tele- Republic of the Congo; President Paul Kagame phone conversations with President Jose of Rwanda; and President Fradique De Menezes Maria Aznar of Spain, President Alvaro Uribe of Sao Tome and Principe. of Colombia, and President Vicente Fox of Mexico to discuss the situation in Iraq. In the afternoon, the President went to the Embassy of Afghanistan where he partici- Digest of Other pated in a roundtable discussion with Arab White House Announcements and Muslim American leaders. The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister Silvio The following list includes the President’s public Berlusconi of Italy to Camp David, MD, on schedule and other items of general interest an- September 14. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 1539

The President announced his intention to Gusmao of East Timor to the White House nominate James M. Stephens to be a mem- on October 2. ber of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. September 13 The President declared a major disaster in In the morning, at the Waldorf-Astoria North Dakota and ordered Federal aid to Hotel in New York City, the President met supplement State and local recovery efforts with President Joseph Kabila of the Demo- in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, cratic Republic of the Congo, President Paul and tornadoes on June 8–August 11. Kagame of Rwanda, and President Thabo The President declared a major disaster in Mbeki of South Africa. Wisconsin and ordered Federal aid to sup- In the afternoon, the President returned plement State and local recovery efforts in to Washington, DC. the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, The President announced his intention to and flooding on September 2. nominate Peter DeShazo for the rank of Am- bassador during his service as Deputy Per- September 11 manent U.S. Representative to the Perma- In the morning, the President and Mrs. nent Mission to the Organization of Amer- Bush participated in a private service at St. ican States and U.S. Representative to the John’s Episcopal Church. Later, on the South Inter-American Council for Integral Devel- Lawn of the White House, they participated opment. in a moment of silence to mark the anniver- The President announced his intention to sary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, designate David Barrett Cohen as U.S. Spe- 2001. The President and Mrs. Bush then cial Representative to the Northern Mariana traveled to the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, Islands. where they participated in an observance The President announced his intention to commemorating the terrorist attacks. Fol- designate Thomas G. Bowman as Acting As- lowing the observance, they traveled to sistant Secretary for Public and Intergovern- Shanksville, PA. mental Affairs at the Department of Veterans In the afternoon, in Shanksville, the Presi- Affairs. dent and Mrs. Bush participated in a wreath laying ceremony for victims of the Sep- tember 11, 2001, plane crash at the site of the crash. Nominations Later in the afternoon, the President trav- Submitted to the Senate eled to New York City, where he participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on The following list does not include promotions of the World Trade Center. members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- September 12 eign Service officers. In the morning, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, the Presi- Submitted September 10 dent had separate meetings with Secretary- James M. Stephens, General Kofi Annan and General Assembly of Virginia, to be a member of the Occupa- President Jan Kavan of the United Nations. tional Safety and Health Review Commission In the afternoon, at the United Nations for a term expiring April 27, 2005, vice Ross Headquarters, the President had separate Edward Eisenbrey. meetings with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India, President Pervez Glenn T. Suddaby, Musharraf of Pakistan, and Prime Minister of New York, to be U.S. States Attorney for Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. the Northern District of New York for the The White House announced that the term of 4 years, vice Daniel J. French, re- President will welcome President Xanana signed. 1540 Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

Submitted September 12 Fact sheet: United States-Canada NEXUS Program Glen L. Bower, of Illinois, to be a Judge of the U.S. Tax Fact sheet: United States-Canada Free and Court for a term of 15 years after he takes Secure Trade (FAST) Program office, vice Carolyn Miller Parr, term ex- Summary of Smart Border Action Plan Status pired.

Ralph R. Erickson, Released September 10 of North Dakota, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of North Dakota, vice Rodney Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- S. Webb, retired. retary Ari Fleischer Maura Ann Harty, Transcript of remarks by Attorney General of Florida, a career member of the Senior John D. Ashcroft and Homeland Security Di- Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, rector Tom Ridge on increasing the national to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Con- threat level to ‘‘Condition Orange’’ sular Affairs), vice Mary A. Ryan. Statement by the Press Secretary on disaster S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., assistance to North Dakota of Louisiana, to be U.S. District Judge for Statement by the Press Secretary on disaster the Western District of Louisiana, vice Don- assistance to Wisconsin ald E. Walter, retired. Statement by Press Secretary on the upcom- Thomas L. Ludington, ing visit of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for of Italy the Eastern District of Michigan, vice Paul V. Gadola, retired. Announcement of nomination for U.S. Attor- ney for the Northern District of New York William D. Quarles, Jr., of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for Released September 11 the District of Maryland, vice William M. Nickerson, retired. Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- retary Ari Fleischer Victor J. Wolski, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court Excerpts From the President’s Address to of Federal Claims for a term of 15 years, the Nation vice Bohdan A. Futey, term expired. Advance text of the President’s address to the Nation on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11

Checklist Released September 12 of White House Press Releases Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit by President Gusmao of East Timor The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Fact sheet: United States Rejoins UNESCO items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Announcement of nominations for U.S. Dis- trict Judges for the Western District of Lou- isiana, the District of North Dakota, the Dis- Released September 9 trict of Maryland, the Eastern District of Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- Michigan, and a Judge of the U.S. Court of retary Ari Fleischer Federal Claims Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 1541

A Decade of Deception and Defiance: Sad- Announcement of nomination for a Judge of dam Hussein’s Defiance of the United Na- the U.S. Tax Court tions *

Released September 13 Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- Acts Approved retary Ari Fleischer by the President

* This item was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 11 but was NOTE: No acts approved by the President were embargoed for release until 3 a.m. on September received by the Office of the Federal Register 12. during the period covered by this issue.