There was a Statement by the Whitehouse on Saturday 26th December 2004 in which the President was quoting as giving his sincere condolences.
URL for this is
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041226.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041226.html
Thanks. I just KNEW I had heard SOMETHING.