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Military

09 November 2001

Transcript: Ridge, Whitman Brief at White House on Homeland Security

(Discuss volunteerism, water, chemical facilities, anthrax,
advertising) (4400)
Americans are volunteering in increasing numbers to help provide
security for the nation, Homeland Director Tom Ridge told reporters at
the White House November 9.
Since the September 11 terrorist attacks there has been a "renewed
spirit of service, a renewed spirit of public service, and a renewed
willingness to become engaged in supporting and providing security"
for their community and country, Ridge said.
In addition, he said, every member of the Bush Cabinet has been
looking for ways in their individual capacities to enhance their
ability to prevent an attack or detect an attack or respond if a
terrorist attack occurred.
Asked about the status of the anthrax investigation, Ridge said the
administration still was trying to find out who was responsible for
sending the anthrax tainted letters through the mail.
"We're still no closer to identifying specifically the origin of the
anthrax and/or the perpetrators of that challenge that has confronted
America," he said.
Asked why Bush advisor Karl Rove was scheduled to meet in Los Angeles
over the weekend with Hollywood officials, Ridge pointed out that the
National Ad Council has volunteered to help the administration in its
terrorism fight and said the people in Hollywood are another group of
Americans who want to "be helpful in this war on terror."
He denied that Rove is going to the meeting with any prescriptive
plans, but rather wants to engage them in conversation "like we're
going to engage the Ad Council and anybody else that wants to help."
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Todd
Whitman told reporters that since September 11, the EPA has been very
active in promoting the security of America's drinking water and
wastewater systems, and chemical facilities across the country.
The effort, she said, "has included a very real and aggressive
outreach to the water companies, to the sewage-treatment companies, to
the chemical manufacturers, to give them the best possible advice and
information on what they can do to secure their various facilities."
EPA also is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and
the Department of Defense, she said, "to ensure that we have the very
best available science on how to identify and, if necessary, can treat
the contamination of the water supplies."
"It takes more than a teaspoon or a cupful of a biological or chemical
agent to disrupt a water supply and to jeopardize or threaten the
health of a municipality or a city," Whitman said. In fact, she said,
"it would take a truckload to do it."
As far as water supplies are concerned, she said, "we are actually
feeling very comfortable that it would be very difficult to carry out
the kind of attack that could result in true health implications to a
general population."
On the water side, EPA is working with the American Waterworks
Association and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and on
the chemical side, primarily with the American Chemical Council, the
EPA Administrator said.
EPA also is working with those organizations to ensure that their
major members are running their employee names against the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) watch list database, "so they can be
sure of who they have in place who have access to the water or access
to the chemicals," Whitman explained.
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary 
For Immediate Release
November 9, 2001
PRESS BRIEFING BY DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE AND
EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:05 P.M. EST
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Last night, I
had the privilege to join the President of the United States in
Atlanta, Georgia, for that extraordinary speech and that call to
service to the American people. I recalled the evening when the
President introduced the Office of Homeland Security, on September
20th, and introduced the then-Governor of Pennsylvania as assuming the
responsibilities of that office.
The next day, I proceeded to complete the final two weeks of my tenure
as governor. And from the very first time I appeared in public, people
came up to me and said: Congratulations. What can I do to help? And
the phones started ringing that Friday morning in the governor's
office, and it's been ringing ever since. This morning, the phones
started ringing in the White House Office: What can we do to help? And
I think last night, the President very appropriately tapped in to the
extraordinary desire on the part of America to commit some part of
themselves, in some small way, to enhance homeland security.
As we have been doing every day since I took over this position, we're
looking for ways to engage both the public and the private sector to
help build this extraordinary support, and build toward a national
strategy to provide homeland security.
My own experience as governor -- and I think Governor Whitman would
probably share the same experience -- we have several thousand
volunteer fire departments. We learn now that we view our firefighters
as a part of a homeland security team. It's pretty clear that one of
our outreach efforts might very well be in that public safety arena --
volunteer fire departments, law enforcement support and the like,
public health, added on to public safety, and domestic preparedness in
some fashion.
I have had the good fortune, over the years, of working with the
incoming chairman of the National Ad Council. He and I, David Bell and
I, have talked about the need to work with the National Ad Council to
inform and inspire people to respond to this call and to participate
in this national homeland security effort. So we -- I think over the
past several years, if you ask governors and you ask volunteer
organizations, the desire, the willingness of America to participate
had slowly eroded. People weren't volunteering, weren't as involved,
as engaged in their community as they have been engaged before.
But I think as of September 11th, there is a renewed spirit of
service, a renewed spirit of public service, a renewed willingness to
become engaged in supporting and providing security for your community
and your country. So I look forward to the tasking of that challenge.
There is an inventory of things we believe we can give America to
choose from to help us in this battle against terrorism, and I'm
confident that by the time we merge both public and private intellect
and resources, we'll come up with an inventory of challenges as well
as opportunities for America to answer their President's call.
Since September 11th, in responding to our war on terrorism, every
single member of the Cabinet, every single member of the
administration has been looking for ways in their individual
capacities that they could enhance their ability to prevent an attack
or detect an attack, or respond, potentially, if an attack occurred.
And Governor Whitman has been at the forefront of those kinds of
efforts, during her leadership of the EPA, and she certainly
intensified them and has intensified them from September 11th on.
So I'd like to turn the podium over to my friend and neighbor, former
colleague, Governor Whitman.
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN:  Thank you, Governor.
GOVERNOR RIDGE:  You're welcome.  Thank you, Governor.
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN: I appreciate it. As many of you know, since
September 11th the Environmental Protection Agency has been very
active in promoting the security of America's drinking water and waste
water systems, and of chemical facilities across the country.
In many ways, that's just a continuation of what our mission is: To
protect America's health and environment. And so, this has just been
an extension of what we do as normal course of business. But this
effort has included a very real and aggressive outreach to the water
companies, to the sewage treatment companies, to the chemical
manufacturers, to give them the best possible advice and information
on what they can do to secure their various facilities. We've issued,
since September 11th, a number of security and safety advisories for
the operators of these facilities, giving them the best-possible
information that we have so that they can apply it to their particular
sets of circumstances. And in addition, in cooperation with the FBI,
we've advised every single law enforcement agency in the country on
what they need to look for and steps that they can take to help
prevent an attack on any water system or waste water system.
We've also greatly accelerated work that was already in process in the
pipeline, as they say, but in process to enhance the security at water
utilities, to give them the tools they need to be able to do
vulnerability assessments, and that was due to be available to them
next year; in fact, we have speeded that up, working with Sandia Labs.
And these tools and training are beginning later this month; in fact,
in the next week we will begin to provide the vulnerability training
and the training for the personnel that is necessary. We have also
been working closely with the CDC and Department of Defense to ensure
that we have the very best available science on how to identify and,
if necessary, treat the contamination of the water supplies.
The good news here, if there is good news, is that it takes more than
a teaspoon or a cupful of a biological or chemical agent to disrupt a
water supply and to jeopardize or threaten the health of a
municipality or city; in fact, it would take a truckload to do it. And
so with the heightened security that we have with the local police
forces and with the companies themselves, we feel that kind of thing
is highly unlikely. We are doing everything we can to put in place the
maximum amount of security measures that will ensure that people can
be comfortable about their water systems.
The same is true with the chemical companies. We have been working
very closely with their organizations and groups to ensure that we are
in constant and instantaneous communications with them. When
necessary, if there's any kind of warning or any kind of activity that
we're seeing of which they need to be aware, or they feel that we need
to be aware, they will let us know. And that has been very important.
On the water side, we have been working with the American Water Works
Association and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. And on
the chemical side, it's been primarily with the American Chemical
Council, for the safety of all these facilities nationwide. This close
communication we have had really has helped in our ability to respond
quickly and to enable them to respond quickly.
We have also been working with both of those organizations to ensure
that their major members are running their employee names against the
FBI watch list database, so they can be sure of who they have in place
who have access to the water or access to the chemicals.
And so really what we're doing is, as I said before, an extension of
what has been our role from the very beginning, but it is a very
meaningful extension that should give a level of comfort to the
public, that we are doing everything -- this government, this
administration, is doing everything possible to ensure that we have in
place everything necessary to prevent and, if necessary, respond to
any kind of further attack. And we are actually feeling very
comfortable as far as water supplies are concerned, that it would be
very difficult to carry out the kind of attack that could result in
true health implications to a general population.
Q: Governor Ridge, on Monday another former governor, Montana's Marc
Racicot, delivered to homeland security an assessment on energy
security, the security of the energy infrastructure. Do you share the
report's concerns that a significant part of the infrastructure is at
unacceptable risk?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: This administration, including Secretary of Energy
Abraham, has been in discussions since September 11th with energy
companies. And we share their concern that there are many points of
vulnerability. And this is, again, one more example where we need to
work in a collaborative way with our friends in the private sector to
assess different risks and come up with a long-term strategy to meet
the enhanced security needs that this war on terror will require for
us.
We got that 42-page report. Secretary Abraham has been working with
them. And frankly, if I might, he will join me sometime next week. I
mean, one of the reasons that we are going to ask members of the
Cabinet to join with me from time to time is to alert you to the kinds
of steps that have been undertaken since September 11th. And a lot of
initiative, a lot of build-up, a lot of enhancement, a lot of
communication with the private sector as well. I mean, every day,
these departments and agencies are looking for ways to improve
security. So Secretary Abraham will join me next week and maybe give
you even more specific examples of how they work together.
Q: Since the last time you were here to brief us, are we any closer to
finding out who sent the anthrax letters, whether it's from a domestic
or international source?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I'll refer to the answer I gave you the last time.
It's a wide range, from domestic to international. We're still no
closer to identifying specifically the origin of the anthrax and/or
the perpetrators of that challenge that's confronted America.
Q: Can I follow on that? Because the FBI has been at that podium and
not been bashful about asking the American people to help with clues
and with leads. You're obviously stumped here about the source of
these mailings. Why not share with the public more specifically what
is known, what the leanings are, what the suspicions are, and maybe
the public can fill in some of those gaps?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think the FBI, and to the extent that any other
agency has been involved, they've been very forthcoming. I mean, we've
showed you copies of the letters and asked people if you've seen
similar correspondence with similar writing. We've told you the nature
of the characteristics of the anthrax we have. Whenever we get a
series of tests, we share that information with you.
The challenge here is obviously enormous, but I think the law
enforcement community, thousands and thousands of men and women, both
at the federal level, the state level and the local level are not only
following leads that have some legitimacy to it, but the world is now
more complicated, because they're also following up on potential
terrorist attacks and threats, which more often than not, turn into
hoaxes. So they have a very aggressive, very intense campaign, and as
soon as we get additional information to share with you, we will.
Q: Can I follow up one point, though? Can I just follow on the point,
you think at this point, the anthrax --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I didn't think I said you could, but go ahead.
(Laughter.) You win.
Q: Sometimes you've just got to push a little bit. You know about
that. The point is that, at this point, do you think at this point the
anthrax crisis -- the initial threat has been shut down? Is it over?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think it's difficult to make that assessment. I
think we're prayerful, we're hopeful. We hope that this is the last we
ever see and have to deal with it in any way, other than talking about
it. But we can't -- I can't give you that 100 percent guarantee. The
only guarantee I can give you that's 100 percent is the FBI and law
enforcement is working very hard to track down the source and the
perpetrators.
Q: Governor Ridge, you mentioned working with the National Ad Council.
We know that Karl Rove is going to California to talk to the movie
industry on Sunday. What is the idea here? What is it that you want to
accomplish? And are you looking at ads and public service
announcements and so forth as primarily a domestic operation, or will
you do that internationally as well?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think it remains to be seen. I think the primary
focus, initial focus, will be domestic. And I think just as the Ad
Council had volunteered, and we've had some preliminary discussions, I
think the people in Hollywood again are another group of Americans who
want to figure out a place for them so that they can be helpful in
this war on terror. I don't think Karl's going out there with any
prescriptive plans just to engage them in that conversation, like
we're going to engage the Ad Council and anybody else that wants to
help.
Q: Governor, I wanted to ask you two questions. One, can you clarify,
where do things stand regarding that FBI alert issued more than a week
ago? Is that still --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: The time period has elapsed. Remember, I think was a
specific time period that we talked about. One of the reasons we gave
the national alert -- but we want people to continue to be vigilant.
The fact that the time period has elapsed, we're still at war. And I
still want Americans to be alert and be vigilant.
Q:    Governor Ridge?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: It worked before; you might want to try it.
(Laughter.)
Q: Here's the question, sir. On the airport security, the incident in
Chicago had a major impact across the country -- that security breach
a few days in Chicago.
GOVERNOR RIDGE:  Yes, sir.
Q: The same company that handled the Chicago security has just landed
two new contracts, I think at Baltimore-Washington International
Airport. What is being done --just signing them isn't going to solve
the problem. What is being done to make sure the companies that hire
and supervise these people are doing the right job?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think that alert, in addition to other challenges
that we've had with that particular company, has heightened the
attention of the Department of Transportation on how they perform
their duties. Clearly, the larger national answer will occur once the
Congress resolves these issues around airport security, when we know
as a matter of course, as a matter of legislation, there will be
heightened competency, heightened training, and just a much better
staffing -- professional staffing -- at all of our airports.
Q:    Can you give us some more details on plans --
GOVERNOR RIDGE:  Governor Whitman is here.
Q: Well, I actually have -- two questions. One, could you give us some
more details on the proposed use of additional National Guardsmen, and
also --
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, the President will be making that -- giving you
the specific -- more specific information later on today, and
subsequent to his public discussion of that, I'll be communicating
with the governors. But I just, as a former governor, I just would
assure them and you that they'll be given some more flexibility with
additional resources.
Q: And for Governor Whitman, could she just give us her assessment of
security within the chemical industry? She mentioned that along with
water.
Q:    And then I've got a follow-up, please, on that.
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN: We've been working, obviously, very closely
with them and they have taken this very seriously. From day one, I've
had several meetings with the leaders of the chemical industry and the
councils, and I think it's probably the first time in EPA history
where we were all in the same room together, we agreed -- it's
probably not going to happen again, but we did. Everybody is focused
on the goal.
They're in heightened awareness. They're doing a good job. Obviously,
there are a number of different facilities of different size that have
chemicals. We are looking and working very closely with the Department
of Transportation on the transport of chemicals, the storage of
chemicals on site, and the security there. I don't know that you could
get any higher awareness than we have today on the importance of
directing resources to those efforts of securing chemicals on site.
So they are doing as good a job as they can do right now, and they're
very aware of where their vulnerabilities might be.
Q: Can I follow up on that, please? It's a serious question from
somebody who has lived for 20 years in New Jersey. There has always
been a problem with illegal dumping of chemicals, as you well know,
that get into the water system and the beaches and the sand dunes. Is
the EPA -- are you working with any criminal elements, frankly, to
speak, as they have an expertise in dumping these lethal chemicals?
(Laughter.) Are you asking for their help in how to counteract this?
It's a serious question.
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN: I wouldn't know any of the criminal elements.
(Laughter.) In New Jersey, we don't have those things. Don't forget,
The Sopranos is all make believe. That's really not New Jersey.
(Laughter.)
Q:    Seriously, there's a problem with illegal dumping.
ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN: We're working very closely with the FBI, and
the FBI is working very closely with the chemical companies, and
through us. We are maintaining a continuous communication so that -- I
don't know who they work with, and I don't want to know who they work
with -- (laughter) -- but I can assure you that everything that can be
done is being done at this point by the various agencies.
Q: This week you met with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. I understand
that they have a major concern about communication from the White
House to the local level, and words were that the local government and
the local emergency response will be the militia of sorts. Could you
talk to me about that meeting and tell me what really came of that to
soothe their concerns about emergency preparedness?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think we had a terrific meeting with Mayor Morial of
New Orleans, and several of his colleagues. I had met with a larger
group the previous week, and again, they recognize, as I think all of
America does now, that the first line of defense, the first line of
offense, potentially, is your local police department, your fire
department, and many of the volunteers you have engaged there.
One of the challenges that they feel that they could -- it would be
easier for them to meet is if there was more communication about
threat, more communication about any potential challenge to their
communities. We talked about ways of addressing that.
When Justice reports, has something to share nationally, they send it
out to 18,000 local police chiefs. The Mayors said, even though
they're local police chiefs, they may be involved in the same
building, they wouldn't mind getting a simultaneous notice. I mean,
there are some very practical things I think we can do to expand the
coverage of information to local officials.
They've looked for assistance in more training, more professional
training for their police forces and their fire departments. We are
going to work on that issue through the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
I thought it was a very positive meeting. Their offer to work with the
administration was as generous and gracious as any we've received. And
I think we're developing a pretty good partnership there.
Q: To follow up, the first response will be local, not federal, then?
Is that what they're saying?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, I think we've seen, unfortunately, with the
events of September 11th and the anthrax crisis, the first responders
-- be it public health or public safety -- are the citizens of that
community. And it's pretty clear that when the President said we need
a national strategy, he meant federal, state and local.
And the Mayors very appropriately, and the county commissioners, they
don't want to be excluded from the discussions, because they know they
are on the first line.
Q: Can you talk a little bit about -- should the public be concerned
about, in the search for suspects, that a lot of civil liberties are
being curtailed? We read that the government now would breach the
attorney-client privilege, which is one of the hallmarks of the legal
system in this country? Are you concerned about that?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: I think the Attorney General has been exceptionally
careful, and FBI Director Mueller, very precise in the directions they
have given to the law enforcement community with regard to
constitutional protections, and I am very comfortable that during this
time of challenge in our war on terror, they will be very careful of
making sure that those constitutional guarantees are protected.
Q: Governor, not to step on the President's message, but what do you
say to some advocacy groups who say that just by putting National
Guard troops at the airports, they are just a show of force. They're
not doing anything to actually screen passengers. So until you
actually do something to screen the passengers, the nation's airlines
are no more safer than they were?
GOVERNOR RIDGE: Well, I think the desire to enhance the security at
the airports is legitimate, and we continue to find not just one
answer, but there have to be multiple answers.
Clearly you want to increase the public security, you want to do a
better job of baggage handling. And that's exactly what we're doing.
We have increased the number of federal air marshals on our airplanes.
I think the airlines have taken the dollars that Congress appropriated
and they've strengthened the cockpit doors. So there are a variety of
things on a variety of fronts that both the public and the private
sector continue to move on, to continue -- to continue to improve and
enhance security at our airports.
Thank you very much.
(end White House transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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