07 December 2001
Transcript: Bush Speaks at Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration
(President says war in Afghanistan far from over) (2310)
There is still much difficult and dangerous fighting to come in
Afghanistan, President Bush says, but the struggle will not end with a
truce or a treaty but with a victory for the United States and its
partners.
The president spoke in Norfolk, Virginia, December 7 during ceremonies
aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise marking the 60th anniversary of the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Bush called the terrorists who attacked the United States September 11
"the heirs to fascism," with "the same will to power, the same disdain
for the individual, the same mad global ambitions." They cannot be
appeased, he said, "they must be defeated."
The current campaign constitutes a warning to terrorists around the
world, the president said: "We will not rest until we stop all
terrorists of global reach. And for every nation that harbors or
supports terrorists, there will be a day of reckoning."
The president said that in a few days he would be describing the
enhanced intelligence and strike capabilities the United States will
need to carry out a "broad war on terrorism for years to come." To the
military personnel on the Enterprise he promised to provide "every
resource, every weapon, every tool you need to win the long battle
that lies ahead."
Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, Bush said the country needs
food and medicine, especially as winter comes, but even more it needs
a stable government. "America is pleased by the Afghan progress in
creating an interim government," he said, "and we're encouraged by the
inclusion of women in positions of authority."
He also noted that Japan, the enemy of 60 years ago "is now among
America's finest friends," and that "today our two navies are working
side by side in the fight against terror."
Following is the transcript of the president's remarks:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (Norfolk, Virginia)
December 7, 2001
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE USS ENTERPRISE ON PEARL HARBOR DAY
USS Enterprise Naval Station Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much. I'm grateful for this
warm welcome on the deck of the "Big E." (Applause.) America is proud
of this fine carrier and we're really proud of her crew. You're
serving at a crucial moment for the cause of peace and freedom, and
your country thanks you.
This is a fitting place to mark one of the most fateful days in
American history. On December the 7th, 1941, the enemy attacked. Today
is an anniversary of a tragedy for the United States Navy. Yet, out of
that tragedy, America built the strongest Navy in the world. And there
is no better symbol of that strength than the USS Enterprise.
What happened at Pearl Harbor was the start of a long and terrible war
for America. Yet, out of that surprise attack grew a steadfast resolve
that made America freedom's defender. And that mission -- our great
calling -- continues to this hour, as the brave men and women of our
military fight the forces of terror in Afghanistan and around the
world.
We are joined this afternoon by some distinguished guests: the
Governor of this great Commonwealth is with us, Jim Gilmore.
(Applause.) Members of the congressional delegation from Virginia are
here with us, and I want to thank them for coming as well. (Applause.)
I want to thank my friend, Tony Principi, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs who is here, a Naval Academy grad who served our country with
bravery and distinction during the Vietnam era.
I want to thank Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy, who is doing
such a fine job representing the Navy in the Pentagon. (Applause.) I
want to thank Admiral Natter, the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S.
Atlantic Fleet. I always like a good Southern accent up here on the
East Coast. (Laughter and applause.) I thank Sandy Winnefeld, the
Commanding Office of the USS Enterprise. And I want to thank the crew
of this fine ship and all your families who are here as well.
(Applause.) And I thank General Kernan for being here as well.
We are especially honored to share this anniversary with 25 living
witnesses to Pearl Harbor on December the 7th, 1941. Thank you all for
being here. They saw the attack and knew its victims by name. They can
recall the last moments of peace, the first moments of war -- and the
faces of lost friends, forever young in memory. These veterans
represent the noble history and traditions of the United States
military. And I ask the Navy of today to please join me in honoring
these fine men from the military of yesterday. (Applause.)
The attack on Pearl Harbor was plotted in secret, waged without mercy,
taking the lives of 2,403 Americans. The shock and chaos came on a
quiet Sunday morning. There were acts of great heroism amongst those
who survived, and those who did not. Nine who fell that day had Navy
ships named after them. In two hours' time, for bravery above and
beyond the call of duty, 15 men earned the Medal of Honor. And 10 of
them did not live to wear it.
Young sailors refused to abandon ship, even as the waters washed over
the decks. They chose instead to stay and try to save their friends. A
mess steward carried his commander to safety, and then manned a
machine gun for the first time in his life. Two pilots ran through
heavy fire to get into their P-40 fighters. They proceeded to chase
and shoot down four enemy aircraft.
Those were among the scenes of December the 7th. On December the 8th,
as the details became known, the nation's grief turned to resolution.
During four years of war, no one doubted the rightness of our cause,
no one wavered in the quest of victory. As a result of the efforts and
sacrifice of the veterans who are with us today, and of millions like
them, the world was saved from tyranny.
Many of you in today's Navy are the children and grandchildren of the
generation that fought and won the Second World War. Now your calling
has come. Each one of you is commissioned by history to face freedom's
enemies.
When the Enterprise sailed out of Norfolk last April, we were a nation
at peace. All of that changed on the morning of September the 11th.
You were among the first to fight in the first war of the 21st
century. You were ready. You performed with skill and honor. And you
have made your nation proud. (Applause.)
On board this ship when you returned to port four weeks ago was a
young man named Ruben Rodriguez. Two days later, Petty Officer
Rodriguez lost his life in a plane crash. His wife and his family are
in our thoughts and prayers. One of the last things this sailor did
was to visit Ground Zero in New York City. He saw what the terrorists
did to America, and he said to a friend, that's why I fought.
And that's why we are all fighting. We are fighting to protect
ourselves and our children from violence and fear. We're fighting for
the security of our people and the success of liberty. We're fighting
against men without conscience, but full of ambition -- to remake the
world in their own brutal images. For all the reasons we're fighting
to win -- and win we will. (Applause.)
There is a great divide in our time -- not between religions or
cultures, but between civilization and barbarism. People of all
cultures wish to live in safety and dignity. The hope of justice and
mercy and better lives are common to all humanity. Our enemies reject
these values -- and by doing so, they set themselves not against the
West, but against the entire world.
Our war against terror is not a war against one terrorist leader or
one terrorist group. Terrorism is a movement, an ideology that
respects no boundary of nationality or decency. The terrorists despise
creative societies and individual choice -- and thus they bear a
special hatred for America. They desire to concentrate power in the
hands of a few, and to force every life into grim and joyless
conformity. They celebrate death, making a mission of murder and a
sacrament of suicide. Yet, for some reason -- for some reason, only
young followers are ushered down this deadly path to paradise, while
terrorist leaders run into caves to save their own hides. (Applause.)
We've seen their kind before. The terrorists are the heirs to fascism.
They have the same will to power, the same disdain for the individual,
the same mad global ambitions. And they will be dealt with in just the
same way. (Applause.) Like all fascists, the terrorists cannot be
appeased: they must be defeated. This struggle will not end in a truce
or treaty. It will end in victory for the United States, our friends
and the cause of freedom. (Applause.)
The Enterprise has been part of this campaign. And when we need you
again, I know you'll be ready. (Applause.) Our enemies doubt this.
They believe that free societies are weak societies. But we're going
to prove them wrong. Just as we were 60 years ago, in a time of war,
this nation will be patient, we'll be determined, and we will be
relentless in the pursuit of freedom. (Applause.)
This is becoming clear to al Qaeda terrorists and the Taliban.
(Laughter.) Not long ago, that regime controlled most of Afghanistan.
Today, they control not much more than a few caves. (Laughter and
applause.) Not long ago, al Qaeda's leader dismissed America as a
paper tiger. That was before the tiger roared. (Applause.) Throughout
history, other armies have sought to conquer Afghanistan, and they
failed. Our military was sent to liberate Afghanistan, and you are
succeeding. (Applause.)
We're a long way from finished in Afghanistan. Much difficult and
dangerous work is yet to come. Many terrorists are still hiding in
heavily fortified bunkers in very rugged territory. They are said to
be prepared for a long stay underground. (Laughter.) But they are in
for a sudden change of plans -- (laughter) -- because one by one,
we're going to find them. And piece by piece, we'll tear their
terrorist network apart. (Applause.)
As we fight the terrorists, we are also helping the people they have
persecuted. We have brought tons of food and medicine to the Afghan
people. They will need more help as winter comes, and we will provide
it. Most of all, that country needs a just and stable government.
America is working with all concerned parties to help form such a
government. After years of oppression, the Afghan people -- including
women -- deserve a government that protects the rights and dignity of
all its people. America is pleased by the Afghan progress in creating
an interim government -- and we're encouraged by the inclusion of
women in positions of authority.
And the war on terror continues beyond Afghanistan, with the closing
of bank accounts and the arrests of known terrorists. We've put the
terrorists and the nations in the world on notice: We will not rest
until we stop all terrorists of global reach. And for every nation
that harbors or supports terrorists, there will be a day of reckoning.
(Applause.)
A few days from now, I will go to a great American institution, the
Citadel, to describe the new capabilities and technologies we will
need to wage this broad war on terrorism for years to come. We will
need the intelligence to find the enemy where he dwells, and the means
to strike swiftly across the world. We must have a military organized
for decisive and total victory. And to you, the men and women of our
military, I make this pledge: you will have every resource, every
weapon, every tool you need to win the long battle that lies ahead.
(Applause.)
This war came oh so suddenly, but it has brought out the best in our
nation. We have learned a lot about ourselves and about our friends in
the world. Nations stand with us, because this is civilization's
fight. Today we take special pride that one of our former enemies is
now among America's finest friends: we're grateful to our ally, Japan,
and to its good people. Today, our two Navies are working side by side
in the fight against terror.
The bitterness of 60 years ago has passed away. The struggles of our
war in the Pacific now belong to history. For Americans who fought it,
and suffered its losses, what remains is the lasting honor of service
in a great cause, and the memory of the ones who fell.
Today, at Pearl Harbor, veterans are gathering to pay tribute to the
young men they remember who never escaped the sunken ships. And over
the years, some Pearl Harbor veterans have made a last request. They
asked that their ashes be brought down and placed inside the USS
Arizona. After the long lives given them, they wanted to rest besides
the best men they ever knew.
Such loyalty and love remain the greatest strength of the United
States Navy. And the might of our Navy is needed again. When America
looks at you -- the young men and women who defend us today -- we are
grateful. On behalf of the people of the United States, I thank you
for your commitment, your dedication and your courage.
May God bless you, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
(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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