13 October 2001
Text: Bush Updates Nation on War Against Terrorism
("We're taking the war to the enemy, and strengthening defenses at
home") (760)
President Bush, in his weekly radio address to the nation October 13
said "in last week's radio address, I warned that time was running out
for the Taliban to turn over the terrorists they shelter. They did not
listen, and they are paying a price."
Bush said the U.S. military has "achieved the goals of the first phase
of our campaign. We have disrupted the terrorist network inside
Afghanistan. We have weakened the Taliban's military. And we have
crippled the Taliban's air defenses.
"American forces dominate the skies over Afghanistan and we will use
that dominance to make sure terrorists can no longer freely use
Afghanistan as a base of operations."
Following is the text of radio address:
(begin text)
Radio Address of the President to the Nation
Office of the Press Secretary
October 13, 2001
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, we opened some important new
fronts in the war on terror. We're taking the war to the enemy and we
are strengthening our defenses here at home.
In last week's radio address, I warned that time was running out for
the Taliban to turn over the terrorists they shelter. They did not
listen, and they are paying a price.
On Sunday, American and British forces launched strikes at terrorist
camps and Taliban military targets in Afghanistan. Our men and women
in uniform are performing as they always do, with skill and courage.
And they have achieved the goals of the first phase of our campaign.
We have disrupted the terrorist network inside Afghanistan. We have
weakened the Taliban's military. And we have crippled the Taliban's
air defenses.
American forces dominate the skies over Afghanistan and we will use
that dominance to make sure terrorists can no longer freely use
Afghanistan as a base of operations.
This campaign will not be completed in one attack. Our enemy prefers
to attack the helpless. He hides from our soldiers. But we're making a
determined effort to take away his hiding places. The best defense
against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work
continues.
At the same time, we are taking further action to strengthen our
protections against terrorism here at home. This week, I signed an
executive order creating a new Office of Homeland Security. The Office
is headed by a skilled and tested leader, former Pennsylvania Governor
Tom Ridge.
Governor Ridge is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He's an
effective executive and he knows what we're up against, because his
own state was one of the three where Americans died on September the
11th.
Governor Ridge is charged with coordinating a comprehensive national
effort to protect our country against terrorism, to frustrate
terrorists' plans, to help protect vulnerable points, and to prepare
our response to potential threats. Tom Ridge will report directly to
me, and he will have the full support of our entire government.
I understand that many Americans are feeling uneasy. But all Americans
should be assured: We are taking strong precautions, we are vigilant,
we are determined, the country is alert, and the great power of the
American nation will be felt.
Our nation is grateful to so many Americans who are rallying to our
cause and preparing for the struggle ahead: FBI agents, intelligence
officers, emergency response workers, public health authorities, state
and local officials, our diplomats abroad, law enforcement teams who
safeguard our security at home, and soldiers, sailors, marines and
airmen who defend us so far away.
Many others are asking: What can I do? Americans already contribute to
the war on terror by their patience and patriotism, by their resolve
and generosity.
Yet, I have one more task, one especially for America's children. I
urge you to show the best of America, by directly helping the children
of Afghanistan who are suffering from the oppression and misrule of
their own government. Many are malnourished, many are starving.
Put a dollar in an envelope. Mark it, "America's Fund for Afghan
Children," and send it here to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, Washington, DC, 20509-1600. Working with the American Red
Cross, we will get that money to Afghan children in need.
This is something the children of America can do for the children of
Afghanistan, even as we oppose the brutal Taliban regime. We will
oppose their evil with firm justice, and we will answer their hatred
with compassion for the Afghan people.
Thank you for listening.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
