11 September 2001
Transcript: Karen Hughes on U.S. Response to Terrorist Attacks
(Counselor to the President outlines governmental activities) (860)
Following is a transcript of a briefing in Washington by Counselor to
the President Karen Hughes September 11 on the range of the U.S.
government's response to terrorist attacks earlier in the day in New
York and Washington.
President Bush, Hughes said, has committed the full resources of U.S.
intelligence and law enforcement agencies "to identify and bring to
swift justice those responsible for these despicable attacks."
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 11, 2001
PRESS BRIEFING BY KAREN HUGHES, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT
National FBI Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
MS. HUGHES: Counselor to President Bush. And I'm here to update you
all on the activities of the federal government in response to this
morning's attacks on our country.
As you heard from President Bush a short time ago, the federal
government is acting to help local communities with search and rescue
and emergency management operations, to take all appropriate
precautions to protect our citizens and to identify those responsible
for these despicable attacks on the American people.
While some federal buildings have been evacuated for security reasons
and to protect our workers, your federal government continues to
function effectively. We have a federal emergency response plan, and
at President Bush's direction, we are implementing it. We began to
implement it immediately after the first attack in New York this
morning.
We contacted American forces and embassies throughout the world and
placed them on high alert. The United States Secret Service
immediately secured the President, the Vice President and the Speaker
of the House, and they are all safe. They have also secured members of
the national security team, the President's Cabinet and senior staff.
As you know, President Bush was in Sarasota, Florida when the first
attack occurred this morning. Air Force One has now landed at Offitt
Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, and the President is in a secure
location. He is in continuous communication with the Vice President
and key members of his Cabinet and national security team.
Vice President Cheney and our National Security Advisor, Condoleezza
Rice, are in a secure facility at the White House. I have just come
from there. The Secretary of Transportation and other members of our
White House senior staff are gathered at a command center there, and
we are coordinating with other branches of our federal government.
The Secretary of Defense remains at the Pentagon, and the Secretary of
State is en route back to Washington from his trip to South America.
President Bush is conducting a meeting of the National Security
Council as we speak. They are meeting President Bush from his location
and other members from different locations in Washington and other
locations.
As many of you have been reporting, the Federal Aviation
Administration ordered all airports closed, and all planes which were
in the air were directed to land at the nearest airport. International
flights were diverted to alternate locations outside of the United
States.
Transportation Secretary Mineta has directed the Federal Aviation
Administration to suspend operations until at least 12:00 noon
tomorrow. So, no airline flights will operate until at least then, and
until the FAA announces that operations will be resumed.
Secretary Mineta has also issued orders controlling the movement of
all vessels in United States navigable waters. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency has activated eight urban search and rescue task
forces in New York and four of these highly-trained teams are at work
here in Washington at the Pentagon.
Every federal agency has implemented continuity of operations and four
of these highly trained teams are at work in Washington at the
Pentagon. Every federal agency has implemented continuity of
operations plans to make sure the government continues to function
effectively.
While the market is closed today because of the situation in
Manhattan, the United States financial system has continued to
operate. Banks have been open all day. The Federal Reserve has
operated regularly and continuously.
The Department of Health and Human Services has mobilized medical
personnel and supplies to provide help to local authorities who are
working so diligently to respond and try to help the victims of these
terrible attacks.
President Bush has committed the full resources of our intelligence
and law enforcement communities to identify and bring to swift justice
those responsible for these despicable attacks. The Department of
Justice is setting up a hotline for families who fear that their
relatives may have been victims of one of these attacks, and we will
be announcing that telephone number shortly.
Our fellow citizens and our freedom came under attack today. And no
one should doubt America's resolve. President Bush and all our
country's leaders thank the many Americans who are helping with rescue
and relief efforts. We ask our fellow Americans for your prayers for
the victims, for their families, for the rescue workers, and for our
country.
Thank you all very much. And we will continue to update you as
information is available and confirmed.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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