President Condemns Murder of Afghan Vice President
Statement by the President
Cape Arundel Golf Course
Kennebunkport, Maine
8:36 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Today, Vice President Qadir of Afghanistan was
gunned down. The administration and our country mourns the loss of a
man who desired freedom and stability for the country he loved. We
have been in touch with Chairman Karzai, expressed our deepest
condolences to the Chairman and the government and people of
Afghanistan, who lost a good and valued friend.
The Afghan government is in the process of investigating who might
have done this. And we are more resolved than ever to bring stability
to the country, so the Afghan people can have peace and hope.
I'll answer a couple of questions.
Q Mr. President, did you personally call Chairman Karzai?
And what does this say about the ability of a new government to form
and actually succeed there, and what are your concerns?
THE PRESIDENT: I haven't spoken to Chairman Karzai yet. I spoke
to him yesterday, interestingly enough, to express our condolences
about the loss of life during the military action. He was talked to by
a member of my national security team.
I am confident, and I believe Chairman Karzai is confident, that
with patience and with aid and with a proper strategy, that Afghanistan
can develop into a peaceful and hopeful nation.
Q Sir, what do you say to the Afghan people who are upset
about the bombing of civilians?
THE PRESIDENT: I say, you know, we're investigating. I say "we."
Both the Afghanistan government and the United States government are
investigating to find out the facts. But I can say to the Afghan
people exactly what I told to Chairman Karzai: Any time innocent life
is lost, we're sad. Our country values life, all life. And we'll find
out what the facts are and then address it.
Q Can the United States or the FBI or someone help with the
investigation of the assassination, or will they?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we'll find out. Right now, the Afghan
government believes they can handle the investigation. There's all
kinds of scenarios as to how the -- who killed him. But we'll work
closely with the government if they want us to.
Q Sir, is there any sign that this kind of assassination may
be connected to terrorist groups, who are trying to get more involved
in the country?
THE PRESIDENT: It could be that, it could be drug lords, it could
be long-time rivals. Who knows? All we know is a good man is dead,
and we mourn his loss.
Thank you all. Thanks.
Q Birthday plans, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Let's see. Settling in, a family lunch. May go
for a run -- it will be a mechanical run, however.
Q Why, not hot enough?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I wish I could get off the Point, but I think
the agents will say today it's probably best for me to stay on Walker's
Point.
Let's see, what else will be happening? Who knows? Maybe a
surprise party. (Laughter.) Other than that, just hanging out with my
family, which is a wonderful gift unto itself.
Thank you all.
Q What took you so long to play 18 holes? Just two hours and
10 minutes.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it's because I three putted too many
greens. (Laughter.)