12 September 2001
Transcript: Bush Remarks After Meeting with National Security Team
(President calls New York, Washington terrorist attacks "acts of war")
(590)
President Bush called the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington
"acts of war," and said he would ask Congress for money for recovery
and to protect the nation's security, in September 12 remarks at the
White House, as he concluded a meeting with his national security
team.
"This enemy attacked not just our people, but all freedom-loving
people everywhere in the world," Bush said. The United States "will
use all its resources to conquer this enemy. We will rally the world.
We will be patient, we will be focused, and we will be steadfast in
our determination.
"This battle will take time and resolve. But make no mistake about it:
we will win," said Bush.
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 12, 2001
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH THE NATIONAL
SECURITY TEAM
The Cabinet Room
10:53 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: I have just completed a meeting with my national
security team, and we have received the latest intelligence updates.
The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday
against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of
war. This will require our country to unite in steadfast determination
and resolve. Freedom and democracy are under attack.
The American people need to know that we're facing a different enemy
than we have ever faced. This enemy hides in shadows, and has no
regard for human life. This is an enemy who preys on innocent and
unsuspecting people, then runs for cover. But it won't be able to run
for cover forever. This is an enemy that tries to hide. But it won't
be able to hide forever. This is an enemy that thinks its harbors are
safe. But they won't be safe forever.
This enemy attacked not just our people, but all freedom-loving people
everywhere in the world. The United States of America will use all our
resources to conquer this enemy. We will rally the world. We will be
patient, we will be focused, and we will be steadfast in our
determination.
This battle will take time and resolve. But make no mistake about it:
we will win.
The federal government and all our agencies are conducting business.
But it is not business as usual. We are operating on a heightened
security alert. America is going forward, and as we do so, we must
remain keenly aware of the threats to our country. Those in authority
should take appropriate precautions to protect our citizens.
But we will not allow this enemy to win the war by changing our way of
life or restricting our freedoms. This morning, I am sending to
Congress a request for emergency funding authority, so that we are
prepared to spend whatever it takes to rescue victims, to help the
citizens of New York City and Washington, D.C. respond to this
tragedy, and to protect our national security.
I want to thank the members of Congress for their unity and support.
America is united. The freedom-loving nations of the world stand by
our side. This will be a monumental struggle of good versus evil. But
good will prevail.
Thank you very much.
(end White House transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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