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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush Inspects Damage in New York City

Aired September 15, 2001 - 06:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN MANN, CNN ANCHOR: He'd seen the pictures on television. He had heard detailed reports and on Friday, President Bush got to view the wreckage of what was the World Trade Center for himself. From Washington, CNN's Major Garrett has more on Mr. Bush's visit -- Major.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Jonathan. Before we talk about the president's visit yesterday to New York, I can just tell you the president is due to meet with his entire National Security and diplomatic team today. And they are clearly paying very close attention to the activities both in Pakistan and the statements from the Taliban -- in Pakistan and in the statements from the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The president and his National Security team weighing all options, military and otherwise and will be meeting throughout the day to weigh those options.

As for the president's visit to New York yesterday, he wanted to get to New York just as soon as possible. There's been quite a good deal of security concerns here at the White House. I can tell you the Secret Service was lobbying against this trip considering a bit of a risk for the president to go up to New York City. The president pressed ahead. And when he arrived in New York City, he toured the damage at the World Trade Center and then had this to say to the workers he has often described as heroic who are dealing with a massive recovery effort there...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I'm shocked at the size of the devastation. And it's hard to describe what it's like to see the snarled steel and broken glass and twists of the building silhouetted against smoke. I said that this was the first act of war on America in the 21st century and I was right. Technically, I hadn't seen the scene.

However, out of the rubble and ash and ugliness, there's a lot of good. You can start with the guys from L.A. that are here, that came all the way over from California to help brothers and sisters in need. And that is -- that's a symbol of the greatness of the country. This is a country that's coming together.

I was also struck by how angry many of the workers were in spite of the fact that they had exhausted -- that worked to exhaustion. And they're angry. They're angry at the people who did the crime. They're angry at the people who destroyed lives. They're angry at the people who caused the devastation. And as I've said, I've heard their anger. America will feel the same way. And our response will be one that is justified.

QUESTION: So what's your level of satisfaction of how the investigation is progressing and how the intelligence gathering is going?

BUSH: I am satisfied that America has rallied during this terrible tragedy. I'm satisfied that the compassion of the nation has risen to the surface. I'm satisfied that if, in any community, if we asked for help, we would find it. I'm also satisfied that the 4,000 FBI agents are working tirelessly to gather all the evidence that can be gathered to find those who may still be in our country if they are here. I'm satisfied that our planning for possible future actions is going on course. But most of all, I'm satisfied and I'm pleased to be an American.

This is a proud moment for our country out of this terrible devastation and ruin. The greatness of America shines forth. And I'm here just to -- as best as I possibly can to thank the American people who are helping here and to comfort -- and to give comfort to those who hope.

A lot of the firefighters who we saw had tears in their eyes because they lost loved ones. Their brothers are missing. You know, it's a sad moment. The least I can do is to give them a hug and maybe encourage them some.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARRETT: The least the president can do, he said, is give a hug or two.

Senior White House officials say that while the president was in the New York, at the Jacob Javits Center, he was schedule to meet for about an hour-and-a-half, the family members of those missing and feared dead in the wreckage of the World Trade Center towers. That meeting ended up lasting more than three hours. The family members clutching the president's hand, asking him at times to sign autographs, just to be with them. Many, many hugs exchanged. The president overwhelmed with the grief he saw -- did his part, as he told aides later, to offer some semblance of comfort, some spiritual substance to those who are grieving so very deeply -- Jonathan.

MANN: Major Garrett, thanks very much.

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