21 September 2001
Transcript: Bush, Blair Confer at White House September 20
(British prime minister says anti-terror coalition is growing) (1080)
President Bush welcomed British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the White
House September 20 for a private dinner and discussion of the response
to the terrorist attacks in the United States.
Bush declined to answer reporters' questions, saying only that in a
few minutes he would address the nation and everything he wanted to
say would be part of that speech.
Blair answered several questions, including one about possible British
involvement in military operations against the suspected terrorists.
He would not go into details, but did say that "it is our duty to take
action" at every level -- "how these groups are financed, how they
operate, how they move about, the weapons that they acquire" -- to put
an end to terrorism.
"I believe right round the world there is support for firm action
now," Blair said. "And I believe the coalition of support for that
action is growing. It is strengthening; it is not diminishing. And
that is the impression that I have had from many of the conversations
I've had with world leaders in all different parts of the world.
Because this struggle is something that should unite people of all
faiths, of all nations, of all democratic political persuasions, and I
believe it will."
Following is a transcript of the media availability:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 20, 2001
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRIME MINISTER OF UNITED KINGDOM TONY
BLAIR
The White House
Grand Foyer
8:12 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: It's my honor to welcome my friend, and friend to
America, Prime Minister Tony Blair to the White House. I appreciate
him coming to America in our time of need. One of the first phone
calls I got after that terrible day was from the Prime Minister. He
was reassuring to me. He was -- he showed to be a true friend, and I
appreciate that.
I'm so honored you're here. And I look forward to giving a speech
tonight. The Prime Minister has kindly agreed to come and listen to
it. So I'm not going to answer any questions tonight. I'm going to let
my speech be exactly what I want to say.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister has agreed to say a few comments,
and then take a couple of questions from you.
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Thank you Mr. President. It's my honor to be
here, and also to pay tribute to your leadership at this immensely
difficult time. I was in New York earlier today, and it's perhaps only
when you are actually there that the full enormity and horror of what
happened comes home to you.
And I said then, I would like to repeat, that my father's generation
went through the experience of the second world war, when Britain was
under attack, during the days of the Blitz. And there was one nation
and one people that, above all, stood side by side with us at that
time. And that nation was America, and those people were the American
people. And I say to you, we stand side by side with you now, without
hesitation.
This is a struggle that concerns us all, the whole of the democratic
and civilized and free world. And we have to do two things very
clearly; we have to bring to account those responsible, and then we
have to set about at every single level, in every way that we can,
dismantling the apparatus of terror, and eradicating the evil of mass
terrorism in our world.
And I know that America, Britain and all our allies will stand united
together in that task. And I give you, on behalf of our country, our
solidarity, our sympathy and our support.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, have you discussed what Britain's involvement
in any military action might be?
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, of course, we've discussed the full range
of issues. Now is not the moment to go into the details of whatever
response we make. But I think that you can be in no doubt at all of
our determination to act, to make sure, as I say, that those
responsible for this event are brought to account. And in the talks I
had in Europe before I left, I believe that sense of solidarity is
echoed right round the world.
Q: Prime Minister, how are you prepared to go on supporting a
full-scale war --
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: I believe we have to go on fighting terrorism as
long as it takes. Because what happened on the 11th of September was,
of course, a brutal and horrific attack on America, but it was a
demonstration of what these people are capable of in any part of the
world. And the important thing to realize is that there is no limit on
what they would do that is moral. They have no regard for the sanctity
of human life. They don't share the values of democracy or freedom or
justice. The only limits on what they do are practical or technical.
And that is why it is our duty -- I believe this -- it is our duty to
take action to make sure that at every level we can -- how these
groups are financed, how they operate, how they move about, the
weapons that they acquire -- at every single level, we have to take
the action necessary to put an end to it.
Q: Prime Minister, the President said tonight that countries have to
choose between being with you or being with the terrorists. How many
countries do you believe are making the choice to be with terrorists?
And what are the consequences to countries still not sure which side
they're on?
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, I just wanted to say this to you in
conclusion to that question. I believe right round the world there is
support for firm action now. And I believe the coalition of support
for that action is growing. It is strengthening; it is not
diminishing. And that is the impression that I have had from many of
the conversations I've had with world leaders in all different parts
of the world. Because this struggle is something that should unite
people of all faiths, of all nations, of all democratic political
persuasions, and I believe it will.
PRESIDENT BUSH: We've got to go.
(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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