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Bush to visit crash sites on Sept. 11

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington Sept. 4. The U.S. President, George W Bush and the First Lady will mark the first anniversary of the attacks on America by visiting the three sites where hijackers crashed commercial airlines, killing around 3,000 people and injuring hundreds.

Mr. Bush will start the day of September 11 with a private church service in Washington. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first hijacked airliner crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, a moment of silence will be observed at the White House. The President and his wife, Laura Bush, will first visit the Pentagon then travel to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 went down after passengers scuffled with terrorists on board on coming to hear about the first two attacks. Mr. Bush is then expected to go to New York city that afternoon to lay a wreath at Ground Zero. He will address the nation that night.

The White House spokesman has said that Mr. Bush's address to the nation on September 11 will be "a very dignified and respectful solemn tribute" to all those who lost their lives and will also express thanks to the families. "It will be a solemn day of remembrance," said Ari Fleischer.

Ahead of the first anniversary of the terror attacks, the U.S. is studying the perceived danger to the country, its friends and allies from the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. The Republican administration has said Iraq is part of an "axis of evil" and accuses Mr. Hussein of trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

The U.S. has come a cropper so far in its efforts to win over countries for its plan to attack Iraq. It is aware that in the absence of strong domestic and international support, a military campaign to bring about a regime change will prove costly. Additionally, the Bush administration has been warned that the military campaign against Iraq might weaken the global war against terrorism.

The White House has reiterated that the President welcomes a variety of views on the subject of Iraq and that Mr. Bush has not made a decision on the use of military force to oust the Iraqi President. It is also being stressed that there is no difference of opinion among the President's top advisers. Mr. Fleischer said the bottom line was that Mr. Hussein was a "threat" and a "menace". "The issue is whether or not Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction. The inspectors are a means to that end. And the policy of this Government has been that regime change will make the world a safer, more peaceful place," Mr. Fleischer said.

Surveys have shown that support for a military strike against Iraq is dropping.

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