It was an exciting day today. We flew out [to New York]; we were treated like royalty, rubbed elbows with the best in the business. He's on pay-per-view. He's at Madison Square Garden. That's like being in the Super Bowl. That's like being in the national championship. Fighters who have fought for 10 years -- title-holders -- don't get a chance to fight at the Garden.

[A separate report by the New York Times also released today claims Arafat's medical records indicated the late PLO leader died of a stroke. The report, which says it is the] first independent review of [Arafat's medical] records ... an omission experts found bizarre.

[Also Monday, the host committee for the Republican National Convention in New York is releasing new TV and radio ads featuring former Mayor Ed Koch and Minnie, a 7,500-pound elephant.] While they're here, make nice, ... Volunteer to show 'em the ropes. They won't know uptown from downtown. They've never ordered pizza by the slice. They don't know from alternate-side-of-the-street parking.

Today was not a hard deadline. If need be, we will voice our concerns with others back [in New York]. The encouraging thing is the two guys we're concerned with have made progress, and they are not reporting their arms are hurting.

The next day, the Department of Homeland Security issues warnings of attacks against railroads nationwide, and against New York City landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Number two. Thursday, June 6, 2002.

The mayor has cultivated relationships with people in order to advance New York City's agenda in Washington and Albany, and he has been willing to use his own money in that effort.