U.S. Children Showing Compassion for Children in Afghanistan, Says Bush

They Are Responding with Generosity to His Plea, President Says

By Wendy S. Ross
Washington File White House Correspondent

Washington -- President Bush, at an event at Red Cross headquarters in
Washington October 16, said that more than 90,000 pieces of mail have
arrived at the White House from children across the United States
containing money for the children of Afghanistan.

"Every dollar, every single dollar that's been raised by the boys and
girls of America will be spent on the needs of the boys and girls in
Afghanistan," said Bush, adding that the money would be under a fund
administered by the Red Cross along with the U.S. Agency for
International Development.

Bush last week announced the formation of "America's Fund for Afghan
Children" at his first prime time, evening Press Conference in the
East Room of the White House.

"Last week, I asked America's children to send a dollar to the White
House to help provide food and medicine to the children of
Afghanistan," said Bush. "Today I'm pleased to report that, in just a
few short days, children all across our country have responded with
remarkable generosity and deep compassion.

"Winter arrives early in Afghanistan," the President said. "It's cold,
really cold. And the children need warm clothing. And they need food.
And they need medicines. And thanks to the American children, fewer
children in Afghanistan will suffer this winter."

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said the
children of Afghanistan "have barely any food. It's been taken away
from them by the Taliban. The children of Afghanistan don't have
access to medicine. They often don't have access to blankets and to
clothing. And that's what this (fund) is aimed at."

Fleischer also was asked about news reports that Red Cross warehouses
in Afghanistan containing wheat, medicine and other supplies were hit
during U.S. military action.

The Bush administration is trying to confirm the incident and
determine whose weapons were involved, Fleischer said, raising the
possibility that anti-aircraft fire from the ground could be
responsible.

"In a case like this, until information comes in that has determined
it, it's hard to say whether something was a result of antiaircraft
weaponry that was shot from the ground, other than weapons that were
shot from the ground that came back down, or whether or not it was
coalition efforts. And that's why the Department of Defense reviews
these matters carefully and takes it seriously," said Fleischer.

News reports say a bomb crashed into a Red Cross compound near Kabul,
injuring a guard and setting afire two warehouses whose roofs were
marked with Red Cross insignia.

In another development, Fleischer said the administration continues to
investigate whether there are any links between the September 11
terrorist attacks on the United States and the confirmed cases of
anthrax in Florida, New York and Washington.

"The administration is suspicious about whether or not there are any
such links, and that is being actively reviewed and looked at. But
again, there is no hard evidence, but it remains an issue that the
administration is taking a good, hard look at," he said.

Asked if he could confirm that bioterrorism is occurring within the
United States, Fleischer said "that's a determination that will be
made by the appropriate law enforcement officials.

"The line between whether this is merely criminal or terrorist is
something that often involves whether or not a foreign nation is
involved or whether or not cells of any type of foreign nation or
terrorist group (are) operating in this country. All that is under
investigation right now, and I don't want to get ahead of that story."

Fleischer also sought to reassure the public that the President's
upcoming trip to Shanghai to take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meeting there is a good idea.

"The President has absolute faith in the Secret Service to secure his
safety. Presidents before have traveled to places that were dangerous,
and Shanghai certainly does not fit that description. So the President
has absolute confidence in the ability of the Secret Service to
protect his safety at all times," said Fleischer.

"As for being out of the country, I just remind you the communications
available to the President is second to none. He will be in frequent
contact with everybody he needs to be in contact with throughout this
issue. I anticipate he'll be having lots of updates and phone calls,
and he'll be able to give direction from the road just as he would
from the White House.

"But even beyond that, the President continues to be concerned about
the strength of the United States economy," said the Press Secretary.
"Even during this time of war it's important to keep an eye
domestically on issues that matter. And the ability of the United
States and our allies to engage in free trade, which helps create
high-paying jobs at home for Americans, and also to help developing
economies of the world so that they can grow richer and prosper,
creating jobs and security for their own people, is in the American
interest at all times, in war and in peace.

"So the President does see important domestic goals to be achieved
through this conference, which will bring together some 21 leaders
from across the globe as part of the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation" meeting, said Fleischer, "and that's why he's heading off
to this meeting." Bush leaves Washington October 17 to go to Shanghai,
after a few hours in Sacramento, California, for special events en
route.

Asked whether the United States has a position on moving the upcoming
World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Qatar to another site for
security reasons, Fleischer said "The government of Qatar has done a
superb job in preparing for the meeting that is scheduled for November
in Qatar. The United States intends to show up wherever that meeting
is, because of the importance of securing another round of free trade
throughout the world. So this is a decision that the WTO will make. As
far as its exact location, it very well may end up being where it's
scheduled to be. But in all cases, the United States will be there."