For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 12, 2001
President Calls Airline Crash Heartbreaking
Remarks by the President and Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in Photo Opportunity
The Rose Garden
PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome a man
whose name symbolizes freedom and courage, to the Oval
Office. President Mandela is going to say a few words, and I
will say some after he finishes.
Welcome.
PRESIDENT MANDELA: Well, firstly, I would like to
express my deepest sympathies for the crash that took place
today. It's unfortunate that that would happen at this time,
when the United States lost so many people on the 11th of
September. But I know that you have quite a strong leader,
and the people of the United States of America can face disaster, and
I'm sure that they will overcome this unfortunate incident.
I also want to say that one of the reasons for coming here is to be
able to express my support for the President for his action in
Afghanistan. The United States of America lost 5,000 people, innocent
people, and it is quite correct for the President to ensure that the
terrorists, those masterminds, as well as those who have executed the
action and survived, are to be punished heavily.
And it would be disastrous if the President gave in to the call
that the army must now withdraw, before he has actually flushed out the
terrorists. That would be disaster. They will
claim that they have defeated the United States of America, and they
will continue doing the same thing. So I support him to
continue until those terrorists have been tracked down.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, you don't have to worry
about me. We are going to bring them to
justice. And I want to thank you for your
support. I also want to thank you for your wisdom and your
leadership in Burundi. You made a huge difference.
The President said, why would I welcome a pensioner to the Oval
Office, and the reason why is because he is such a strong
man. And it's been my honor to greet you and welcome
you. And thank you for your words of condolences.
I, too, want to express my heartfelt sympathies for the citizens of
New York, those on the airplane, those whose houses were damaged, those
who were hurt on the ground, for the recent incident that took
place. It is heartbreaking to have picked up the phone and
called my friend, Rudy Giuliani and Governor George Pataki and once
again expressed our condolences, and at the same time, assured the
people of New York our federal government will respond as quickly as
possible.
We sent our FEMA teams over; the FBI is over there. And
this investigation is being led by the National Transportation Safety
Board, to make sure that the facts are fully known to the American
people.
The New York people have suffered mightily; they suffer
again. But there's no doubt in my mind that the New Yorkers
are resilient and strong and courageous people, and will help their
neighbors overcome this recent incident that took place.
May God bless the victims and their families.
Mr. President, welcome to Washington, and thank you for coming.