Gibbs' statement, and similar comments from Obama advisor DavidAxelrod came a day after the New York Times and otheroutlets reported that the administration had given up outright onplans to try the 9/11 defendants at the US District courthouse inFoley Square, not far from the site of the terror attacks. In fact,Gibbs told CNN that the administration is still hopeful ofpersuading the city to hold the trials there.

"We are talking with the authorities in New York," Gibbs said onCNN. "We understand their logistical concerns and their securityconcerns that are involved. We have been discussing that withthem."

As GlobeSt.com reported last week, the Bloomberg administrationhas estimated that providing security for the area around thecourthouse--with a 132-acre perimeter that would encompass much ofDowntown--could cost more than $200 million per year. Mayor MichaelBloomberg, who initially endorsed US Attorney General Eric Holder'sdecision to hold the terror trial there, withdrew his support lastweek.