Harper to mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will spend the weekend in New York City to mark the10th anniversary of the Sept.11 attacks.

His office said Friday that Harper willattend a private reception for the families of Canadian victims on Saturday "to show his support for those affected by the senseless and tragic attacks."

On Sunday, the anniversary, the prime minister will attend an eventremembering the 24 Canadian victims, which will take placeat a memorial at the British Garden in the heart of Manhattan. The garden memorial space was created to honour the 67 British citizens who died on Sept. 11.

"On this day, we will pay tribute to Canadians, Americans and all those who lost their lives nearly 10 years ago in these heinous attacks," Harper said in a statement. "As we pay tribute to the victims and their loved ones, we also honour members of the military, law enforcement and intelligence personnel who continue to fight on the front lines against all forms of terrorism.

"Together with our friends and allies, our government will continue to stand firm against the threat of global terrorism. We will remain vigilant and work relentlessly in the hope of a more secure and peaceful future."

Obama letter thanks Canadians

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter to Harper on Thursday,thanking Canadian citizensfor taking in thousands of strandedtravellers after the Federal Aviation Administration closedU.S. airports on Sept. 11, 2001, in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center inNew Yorkand the Pentagon in Washington.

"For the next three days before our airspace was reopened those displaced passengers were treated like family in Canadian homes,"he wrote.

Obama specifically mentioned Gander, Nfld., the town of 9,600that provided food and shelter to6,700 passengers 10 years ago and washonoured at 9/11 commemorative eventin Washington, D.C.,on Thursday night.

Harper's visit to New York comes as the city prepares to face a potential terror threat before the anniversary.U.S. officials said Thursday that they wereinvestigating a credible but unconfirmed al-Qaeda threat to use a car bomb on bridges or tunnels in New York or Washington.

This will be the second consecutive weekend Harper will spend in New York.Last weekendhe was there on a private visit and took in a baseball game, among other activities.