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Military

17 September 2001

Transcript: Bush Says U.S. Proud to Lead Fight Against Terrorism

(Says U.S. military resolve has never been stronger) (2240)
President Bush says the United States will "join with freedom-loving
people" in a coalition dedicated to declaring to the world "we will do
what it takes to find the terrorists, to rout them out and to hold
them accountable."
And the United States, he said,  "is proud to lead the coalition."
Addressing employees at the Pentagon September 17, Bush said the
dedication of Reserve and National Guard troops called up following
the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington will
serve as "a strong symbol to all" that the United States is prepared
to take the necessary actions.
There is "no question in my mind that the resolve of our military has
never been stronger," the President said. There will be costs, he
said, but "we will win the war" against terrorism.
Bush told questioners that he will not discuss any military plans "we
may or may not have."
"All I can tell you," he said, "is that Osama bin Laden is a prime
suspect, and the people who house him, encourage him, provide food,
comfort or money are on notice.... And the Taliban must take my
statement seriously."
Bush noted that people from many nations were among those who lost
their lives in the destruction of the World Trade Center.
Many world leaders understand that the attack could have as easily
happened on their land, he said. "And they also understand that this
enemy knows no border. But they know what I know, that when we start
putting the heat on those who house them, [that] will get them
running. And once we get them running we have got a good chance of
getting them. And that's exactly what our intent is."
Following is the White House transcript of the president's remarks:
 (begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 17, 2001
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO EMPLOYEES AT THE PENTAGON
The Pentagon
11:45 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: First, let me start off by saying to members of the
Pentagon press -- the Secretary told me about how you conducted your
business on that fateful day. I want to congratulate you and thank
you. Many of your members of the Pentagon press went out to help in
the evacuation and the aide of the people who work here in the
Pentagon and the country appreciates that very much. Thank you. Pass
the word on to your colleagues, as well.
Today, we're talking about the mobilization of Reserve and Guard
troops. Such a mobilization is a strong symbol of this nation's
resolve. And I want to thank the Secretary and David and members of
our team for giving me a complete and full briefing.
I fully understand that a mobilization affects the lives of thousands
of Americans. I mean, after all, we're talking about somebody's mom or
somebody's dad, somebody's employee, somebody's friend or somebody's
neighbor. But the world will see that the strength of this nation is
found in the character and dedication and courage of everyday
citizens.
We are -- last week I proclaimed a national emergency and authorized
the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Transportation to call up
the Ready Reserve Units of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to
active duty.
We are in the process of calling up as many as 35,000 such troops.
They will serve in a number of essential roles. They will help
maintain our air defenses so they can stay on high alert. They will
check shipping in ports. They will help our military with airlift and
logistics. They will provide military police. They will participate in
engineering projects. They will help gather intelligence. And they
will perform work as chaplains.
I know this means a lot of sacrifice for those who will be called up,
and their families. But you understand -- the troops who will be
called up understand better than most that freedom has a cost, and
that we're willing to bear that cost. An act of war has been committed
on this country, and the dedication of our Guardsmen and Reservists
will serve not only as a strong symbol to all that we're prepared to
take the necessary actions, but will be a part of helping define the
spirit and courage of America. And I'm grateful.
I want to thank the employers who understand that there is more to
corporate life than just profit and loss, that the employee who is
getting ready to serve the country is an essential part of winning the
-- of defeating terrorism, evil-doers so emboldened that they feel
like they could attack the great bastion of freedom.
Before I answer a few questions, I also want to wish the American
Jewish community and Jews around the world a healthy and happy new
year. As the high holy days begin, I know you'll find strength and
determination during this time of reflection.
I'll be glad to answer a few questions.  Ron.
QUESTION: Mr. President, does the cost of freedom today in this war
we're about to wage include the loss of civilian and military
casualties? And can you keep us out of a depression/recession, during
this crisis?
THE PRESIDENT: The only thing I can do is to reflect upon the spirit
of the U.S. military, and the U.S. military is ready to defend freedom
at any cost. The men and women who wear our uniforms, both active duty
and reservists and National Guard people are ready to respond to the
call of the Commander-in-Chief and the Secretary of Defense. There's
no question in my mind that the resolve of our military has never been
stronger. And we will win the war, and there will be costs. But the
military folks understand that, and so do I, and so does the Secretary
of Defense.
In terms of our economy, I've got great faith in the economy. I
understand it's tough right now. Transportation business is hurting.
Obviously, the market was correcting prior to this crisis. But the
underpinnings for economic growth are there. We're the greatest
entrepreneurial society in the world. We've got the best farmers and
ranchers. We've got a strong manufacturing base.
But there's a challenge ahead of us, and I'm confident that our
business community will rise to the challenge. Secondly, I'm confident
we can work with Congress to come up with an economic stimulus
package, if need be, that will send a clear signal to the risk-takers
and capital formatters of our country that the government's going to
act, too.
Thirdly, we've got a tax cut that's still working its way through the
economy, as well as a reconstruction plan for New York and the area.
After all, the Congress, in a bipartisan fashion, overwhelmingly
passed a supplemental of billions of dollars which will help not only
get New York City up and running again, but will help provide some
economic stimulus.
Q: Mr. President, in the airline industry, in particular, is in
trouble, and looking for some relief. I know that Secretary Mineta was
supposed to meet with representatives from the industry this week. As
you look down the road does he think and expect some --
THE PRESIDENT: Stretch, I think these are the kinds of subjects that
we will talk [about] with the Secretary of Transportation, with the
airline industry and, as importantly, with members of Congress.
Congress must be involved with -- obviously, with these deliberations.
And I look forward to -- I've already encouraged my administration to
reach out to members of Congress. And we will continue doing so.
Q: Mr. President, the Taliban apparently has refused to hand over
Osama bin Laden to the Pakistanis. Does this mean that the U.S. will
be prepared to move militarily?
THE PRESIDENT: Patsy, I want to make it clear to the American people
that this administration will not talk about any plans we may or may
not have. We will not jeopardize in any way, shape or form, anybody
who wears the uniform of the United States.
All I can tell you is that Osama bin Laden is a prime suspect, and the
people who house him, encourage him, provide food, comfort or money
are on notice. Last Tuesday -- last week, I spoke clearly about our
nation's policy. And that is, we're going to find those who -- those
evil-doers, those barbaric people who attacked our country and we're
going to hold them accountable, and we're going to hold the people who
house them accountable; the people who think they can provide them
safe havens will be held accountable; the people who feed them will be
held accountable.
And the Taliban must take my statement seriously.
Yes, ma'am.
Q: Mr. President, is it the case, based on what you've said now, that
war is inevitable, and can you tell me the American people what that
war is going to look like?
THE PRESIDENT: I believe, I know that an act of war was declared
against America. But this will be a different type of war than we're
used to. This is -- in the past there have been beaches to storm and
islands to conquer. We've been able to watch on our television screens
sophisticated weaponry find a building; and we've seen dramatic
reports from the front where Pulitzer Prize-to-be winning reporters
stood up and declared, the United States is attacked, and all that.
There may be some of that, who knows. But I know that this is a
different type of enemy than we're used to. It's an enemy that likes
to hide and burrow in, and their network is extensive. There are no
rules. It's barbaric behavior. They slit throats of women on airplanes
in order to achieve an objective that is beyond comprehension. And
they like to hit, and then they like to hide out.
But we're going to smoke them out. And we're adjusting our thinking to
the new type of enemy. These are terrorists who have no borders. And,
by the way, it's important for the world to understand that we know in
America that more than just Americans suffered loss of life in the
World Trade Center. People from all kinds of nationalities lost --
that's why the world is rallying to our call to defeat terrorism.
Many world leaders understand that that could have easily -- that the
attack could have as easily happened on their land. And they also
understand that this enemy knows no border. But they know what I know,
that when we start putting the heat on those who house them, they will
get them running. And once we get them running we have got a good
chance of getting them. And that's exactly what our intent is.
The focus right now is on Osama bin Laden, no question about it. He's
the prime suspect, and his organization. But there are other
terrorists in the world. There are people who hate freedom. This is a
fight for freedom. This is a fight to say to the freedom-loving people
of the world: we will not allow ourselves to be terrorized by somebody
who thinks they can hit and hide in some cave somewhere.
It's going to require a new thought process. And I'm proud to report
our military, led by the Secretary of Defense, understands that;
understands it's a new type of war, it's going to take a long time to
win this war. The American people are going to have to be more patient
than ever with the efforts of -- our combined efforts, not just
ourselves, but the efforts of our allies, to get them running and find
them and to hunt them down.
But as the Vice President said, you know, Osama bin Laden is just one
person. He is representative of networks of people who absolutely have
made their cause to defeat the freedoms that we take -- that we
understand. And we will not allow them to do so.
Q:  Do you want bin Laden dead?
THE PRESIDENT: I want justice. There's an old poster out west, as I
recall, that said, "Wanted: Dead or Alive."
Q: Do you see this being long-term? You were saying it's long-term, do
you see an end, at all?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that this is a long-term battle, war. There
will be battles. But this is long-term. After all, our mission is not
just Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida organization. Our mission is to
battle terrorism and to join with freedom loving people.
We are putting together a coalition that is a coalition dedicated to
declaring to the world we will do what it takes to find the
terrorists, to rout them out and to hold them accountable. And the
United States is proud to lead the coalition.
Q: Are you saying you want him dead or alive, sir? Can I interpret --
THE PRESIDENT: I just remember, all I'm doing is remembering when I
was a kid I remember that they used to put out there in the old west,
a wanted poster. It said: "Wanted, Dead or Alive." All I want and
America wants him brought to justice. That's what we want.
(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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