07 October 2001
Excerpts: Prime Minister Blair on Anti-Terrorist Operations in Afghanistan
("Our determination in acting is total," he says) (600)
Speaking at a news conference on October 7, British Prime Minister
Tony Blair said the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United
States were an attack on the freedom, way of life and civilized values
of people all over the world. "We have now no choice," he said. "So we
will act. And our determination in acting is total. We will not let up
or rest until our objectives are met in full."
Blair said "It angers me, as it angers the vast majority of Muslims,
to hear bin Laden and his associates described as Islamic terrorists.
They are terrorists, pure and simple."
Following are excepts from the Blair briefing:
(begin excerpts)
There is no doubt in my mind that these attacks were carried out by
the Al Qaeda network masterminded by Osama bin Laden.
Equally, it is clear that his network is harbored and supported by the
Taliban regime inside Afghanistan.
It is more than two weeks since an ultimatum was delivered to the
Taliban to yield up terrorists or face the consequences. They were
given the choice of siding with justice or siding with terror, and
they chose to side with terror.
There are three parts, all equal important, to the operation in which
we're engaged: military, diplomatic and humanitarian.
The military action we are taking will be targeted against places we
know to be involved in the Al Qaeda network of terror, or against the
military apparatus of the Taliban. This military plan has been put
together mindful of our determination to do all we humanly can to
avoid civilian casualties.
We have set the objectives to eradicate Osama bin Laden's network of
terror and to take action against the Taliban regime that is
sponsoring him.
On the diplomatic and political front, I cannot recall a situation
that has commanded so quickly such a powerful coalition of support,
and not just from those countries directly involved in military action
but for many others in all parts of the world.
On the humanitarian front, we are assembling a coalition of support
for refugees in and outside Afghanistan, which is as vital as the
military coalition.
We know the Al Qaeda network threatened Europe including Britain, and
indeed any nation throughout the world that does not share their
fanatical views. So we have a direct interest in acting in our own
self-defense to protect British lives.
I wish to say finally, as I've said many times before, that this is
not a war with Islam. It angers me, as it angers the vast majority of
Muslims, to hear bin Laden and his associates described as Islamic
terrorists. They are terrorists, pure and simple.
Islam is a peaceful and tolerant religion. And the acts of these
people are wholly contrary to the teachings of the Koran.
We are a peaceful people. But we know that sometimes, to safeguard
peace, we have to fight. Britain has learnt that lesson many times
before in our history.
We only do it if the cause is just. But this cause is just. The murder
of almost 7,000 innocent people in America was an attack on our
freedom, our way of life, an attack on civilized values the world
over.
We have now no choice. So we will act. And our determination in acting
is total. We will not let up or rest until our objectives are met in
full.
(end excerpts)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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