HALIFAX, Canada, Dec 1 (AFP) - Wrapping up his first official visit to Canada, President George W. Bush on Wednesday thanked those who sheltered Americans stranded when the September 11, 2001 attacks grounded air travel.
"How does a president say thank you to a nation? Well, that's something a president can do. So let me say directly to the Canadian people, and to all of you here today who welcomed Americans: Thank you for your kindess to America in an hour of need," Bush said in a speech
Canadians opened their doors to some 33,000 Americans stranded when more than 230 airplanes were forced to land after terrorists used hijacked airliners as guided missiles, crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Bush aimed to correct a three-year old oversight: In a speech to the US Congress 10 days after the attacks, he had effusively thanked many other nations by name but omitted Canada in what was seen by many here as a snub.
"For days after September 11th, Canadians came to the aid of men and women and children who were worried and confused and had nowhere to sleep," the president said.
"You opened your homes and your churches to strangers. You brought food. You set up clinics. You arranged for calls to their loved ones. And you asked for nothing in return," he said.
"That emergency revealed the good and generous heart of this country. And showed the true feelings of Canadians and Americans toward each other. The affection that appeared in an instant will always be there and it runs deep.
"Beyond the words of politicians, and the natural disagreements that nations will have, our two peoples are one family and always will be," said the president.
12/01/2004 16:19 GMT - AFP