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 Asian 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."