WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush said on Monday that the mass shooting at Virginia Tech University affects every student across the nation.

"Schools should be places of safety, sanctuary and learning," Bush said in reaction to the deaths of more than 30 people on the campus. "When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom, in every American community."

Bush spoke with Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Virginia Tech President Charles Steger.

"I told them that Laura and I and many across our nation are praying for the victims and all the members of university community that have been devastated by this terrible tragedy," Bush said in the Diplomatic Room of the White House.

"Today our nation grieves with those who have lose loved ones at Virginia Tech," he said. "We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today."'

The Virginia governor said yesterday it was too early to draw conclusions about how campus authorities handled the deadly shooting rampage, while some questioned a lack of strong warnings following the first burst of gunfire.

Kaine made his remarks yesterday morning in Tokyo before going to an airport to return to the US. He had arrived on Monday to attend events in Japan, but apparently cut his trip short because of the shootings.

"It is a very tragic day for us in Virginia. My reaction was just shock. My first thought was just how tragic this was for the university," Kaine said.

Asked if he thought there was any mismanagement on the part of the school in informing the students after the first round of shootings, Kaine said, "the investigation as to what happened is ongoing and I think it's important that we not draw any premature conclusions."

Kaine said he plans to attend a convocation planned at the campus yesterday and stay there until today to deal with the aftermath.

Agencies

(China Daily 04/18/2007 page8)