Statement by President Bush

Courtesy of the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/)

1:00 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good
afternoon.  On my orders, the United States military has
begun strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and
military installations of the Taliban regime in
Afghanistan.  These carefully targeted actions are
designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of
operations, and to attack the military capability of the Taliban
regime.

We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great
Britain. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany
and France, have pledged forces as the operation
unfolds.  More than 40 countries in the Middle East,
Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air transit or landing
rights.  Many more have shared
intelligence.  We are supported by the collective will of
the world.

More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of
clear and specific demands:  Close terrorist training
camps; hand over leaders of the al Qaeda network; and return all
foreign nationals, including American citizens, unjustly detained
in your country.  None of these demands were
met.  And now the Taliban will pay a price.  By
destroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it
more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and
coordinate their evil plans.

Initially, the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other
entrenched hiding places.  Our military action is also
designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and
relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to
justice.

At the same time, the oppressed people of Afghanistan will know
the generosity of America and our allies.  As we strike
military targets, we’ll also drop food, medicine and supplies to
the starving and suffering men and women and children of
Afghanistan.

The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people,
and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice
the Islamic faith.  The United States of America is an
enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who
profane a great religion by committing murder in its name.

This military action is a part of our campaign against
terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined
through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets
and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38
countries.  Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we
will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by
meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and
purpose.

Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is
broader.  Every nation has a choice to
make.  In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If
any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocents, they
havebecome outlaws and murderers, themselves.  And they
will take that lonely path at their own peril.

I’m speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the White
House, a place where American Presidents have worked for
peace.  We’re a peaceful nation.  Yet, as we
have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace
in a world of sudden terror.  In the face of today’s new
threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who
threaten it.

We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill
it.  The name of today’s military operation is Enduring
Freedom.  We defend not only our precious freedoms, but
also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their
children free from fear.

I know many Americans feel fear today.  And our
government is taking strong precautions.  All law
enforcement and intelligence agencies are working aggressively
around America, around the world and around the clock. At my
request, many governors have activated the National Guard to
strengthen airport security.  We have called up Reserves
to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection
of our homeland.

In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths
— patience with the long waits that will result from tighter
security; patience and understanding that it will take time to
achieve our goals; patience in all the sacrifices that may
come.

Today, those sacrifices are being made by members of our Armed
Forces who now defend us so far from home, and by their proud and
worried families.  A Commander-in-Chief sends America’s
sons and daughters into a battle in a foreign land only after the
greatest care and a lot of prayer. We ask a lot of those who wear
our uniform.  We ask them to leave their loved ones, to
travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make
the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.  They are
dedicated, they are honorable; they represent the best of our
country.  And we are grateful.

To all the men and women in our military — every sailor, every
soldier, every airman, every coastguardsman, every
Marine    — I say this: Your mission is
defined; your objectives are clear; your goal is
just.  You have my full confidence, and you will have
every tool you need to carry out your duty.

I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the
state of America in these difficult times — a letter from a
4th-grade girl, with a father in the military:  "As much
as I don’t want my Dad to fight," she wrote, "I’m willing to give
him to you."

This is a precious gift, the greatest she could
give.  This young girl knows what America is all
about.  Since September 11, an entire generation of young
Americans has gained new understanding of the value of freedom, and
its cost in duty and in sacrifice.

The battle is now joined on many fronts.  We will not
waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not
fail.  Peace and freedom will prevail.

Thank you.  May God continue to bless America.

END        1:07 P.M,
EDT