Military

DATE=OCTOBER 25, 2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-282275

TITLE=CHENEY TERRORISM (L)

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Vice President Dick Cheney says the war in Afghanistan has entered a new stage. VOA's Scott Steanrs reports, Mr. Cheney says Americans must be prepared for more terrorist attacks at home as the war abroad continues.

TEXT: Vice President Cheney says military operations in Afghanistan are progressing, with the success of the air campaign clearing the way for what he calls, "further operations" against the country's Taleban leaders and suspected terrorists in the al-Qaida organization.

/// CHENEY ACT ///

On the military front in this war, we have entered a new stage. The air campaign against the Taleban has been a success. We have destroyed military training facilities, air fields, air defenses, ammunition storage areas, command and control facilities, and terrorist camps throughout Afghanistan. The air campaign has cleared the way for further operations. What comes next the Taleban and al-Qaida terrorists will discover only when it's upon them. But I can tell you, that they can expect to see and hear more from the American military.

/// END ACT ///

The Vice President told a meeting of Republican governors that this is a different war for America, that the country no longer has the choice of whether to intervene in a conflict. This, he says, is a war thrust on the nation by the Septmber 11th violence of suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida organization.

/// SECOND CHENEY ACT ///

A group like al-Qaida can not be held back in deterance or reasoned with by diplomats. For this reason, the war against terror will not end in a treaty. There will be no summit meeting, no negotiations with terrorists. The conflict can only end with their complete and permanent destruction.

/// END ACT ///

On the homefront, Mr. Cheney says the Bush Administration is committed to reviving America's economy and helping those who are out of work following last month's terrorist attacks. He says the government is doing everything it can to find out who is responsible for a series of anthrax contaminated letters that have killed three people.

Mr. Cheney says the government is taking steps to protect America's postal workers from further contact with anthrax, but he warned that there may be more attacks to come.

/// CHENEY ACT ///

The enemy has shown the capacity to inflict great damage on the United States. And the only safe way for us to proceed is to assume there will be more attacks. In this conflict, for the first time in our history, we will probably suffer more casualties here at home than will our troops overseas.

/// END ACT ///

A speech at a fundraiser for Republican governors is usually a highly-partisan affair. The Vice President made no mention of party politics. Instead he praised the political cooperation between the parties in responding to the terrorist attacks.(SIGNED)

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