14 September 2005
Bush Thanks International Community for Offers of Hurricane Aid
President expresses nation's gratitude in address to U.N. General Assembly
By Susan Ellis
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- President Bush thanked the more than 115 countries and numerous international organizations that have offered assistance in the wake of the disastrous hurricane that hit the U.S. Gulf Coast August 29, resulting in death and destruction, mainly in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City September 14, Bush said, "To every nation, every province, and every community across the world that is standing with the American people in this hour of need, I offer the thanks of my nation." (See transcript.)
He said the response -- like the response to the tsunami of 2004 -- "has shown once again the world is more compassionate and hopeful when we act together."
The president urged the members of the world organization to remain committed to the goals set forth in the U.N. Charter drafted six decades ago -- to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," to protect human rights and promote better standards of life, to ease suffering, to spread freedom and to lay the foundations of lasting peace for generations to come.
Speaking to the press a day earlier, President Bush took responsibility for federal shortcomings in the response to the disaster, saying, "Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government, and to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility."
Bush said he wants to know "what went right, and what went wrong" in the disaster response, as well as how to better cooperate with state and local authorities in any future natural disaster.
The president plans to address the nation on Hurricane Katrina the evening of September 15.
For additional information, see Hurricane Katrina.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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