WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush appealed again Wednesday for greater religious tolerance, saying his administration will not tolerate hateful mistreatment of Muslims or others targeted for rage after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"We're all Americans, bound together by common ideas and common values," Bush said as he met with a group of American Sikhs in the White House Roosevelt Room.
Bush noted the death of Balbir Singh Sodhi, an Indian store owner killed in Arizona shortly after the terrorist attacks because, police say, he wore a turban in keeping with his Sikh faith. He said his administration would seek justice in Sodhi's case, and wants to ensure that everyone is treated with respect, "particularly during this time."
"These citizens bring their hearts with them," Bush said. "I can assure them that our government will do everything we can ... to treat every human life as dear, and respect the values that made our country so different and so unique."
Bush planned to reiterate that message later Wednesday in a meeting with Muslim leaders. Spokesman Ari Fleischer said the president is concerned that, despite his repeated calls for understanding, Muslims and anyone who appears to be of Middle Eastern extraction are still the targets of hate.
"The president believes there are certain American principles that are enduring, and have guided us throughout war and peacetime before," Fleischer said. "He wants Americans to be cognizant of those."
Bush fit the sessions between rounds of phone diplomacy, a trip across town to CIA headquarters and a White House committee charged with addressing the economic impact of the Sept. 11 tragedy. He also reached for an element of normalcy by greeting Tufts University freshman Raymond Nunez, the Boys and Girls Club national member of the year.
Bush started his day with phone calls to Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakstan. Fleischer quoted Nazarbayev as telling Bush that Kazakstan would support his anti-terrorism coalition with all available means.
Kok expressed Dutch solidarity with the effort "and stressed that solidarity means deeds, not just words," Fleischer said. The Egyptian foreign minister was stopping by Wednesday afternoon to talk with Bush about U.S.-Egyptian cooperation.
Much like his visit Tuesday to FBI headquarters, Bush was touring the Central Intelligence Agency to encourage employees who are working on the terrorism case. Fleischer said Bush is satisfied with the intelligence the CIA provides and maintains faith and confidence in CIA Director George Tenet.
"He wants to express his appreciation," Fleischer said. "They have a hard job to do."
Still pending were Bush decisions on an airline security package from Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, and on the need for an economic stimulus.
Aides say they don't expect a decision soon on the stimulus. Fleischer noted that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has said it would be more prudent to wait.
