President Bush's Statement on U.S. Strikes in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Following is the text of a statement made by President Bush (news - web sites) on Sunday, announcing the United States had begun military strikes in Afghanistan (news - web sites).

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 our country.

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 will 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 innocence, they have become 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.

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 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 Coast Guardsman, every Marine, I say this: Your mission is defined. The 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 fourth 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 Sept. 11, an entire generation of young Americans has gained new understanding of the value of freedom and its cost and duty and its 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.

Go get 'em G.W., remember - these terrorists murdered Americans and many friends from other nations, and not only would they absolutely try to murder, but they indeed did try to murder you and your wife Laura, and your personal family. Now we will go out and try to kill those who did this to us and to you, and Yahweh says that it is against his command to murder - the Lord also made a clear distinction between to murder and to kill. Some things we must defend, and we must kill in order to do that. God will understand, and whatever consequences there are, we as Americans will all share in those consequences. Devotion to liberty is not mere lip-worship, it is a wrestling with death. Liberty has to be pursued in face of violence raging against you. It is true that hatred does not cease by hatred at any time, it is also true that sometime sober men and women must engage in these battles and it is never, in the heart, easy or comforting. We will cheer, and we waited and wanted to seek justice, in the heart there isn't hatred as our enemy hates us. There is anger, and a seeking for justice. Even those who claim non-violence, I can tell you from experience those who truly believe in non-violence are brave such that even they will lay down there lives to prevent such quarrels - non-violence does not mean to tremble and take to heels the moment one sees two people fighting, no this is not the true non-violent creed. I do not follow this creed, but I will say that those who are the true believers of this are not cowards, they will walk into the battle, and though they will not necessarily take up and strike, they will play a role and die as well bravely. The constitution is like a mother to me ever since I was young, and it is amazing the guidance our forefathers have given us. This document gives fresh knowledge, hope and power every moment of life when times like these come upon us. We must translate this document into many languages, and I think it would be good to put this document to the Afghani language and to give it to those in the lands of the enemy who will receive it. In the end, I think it may come upon Americans to educate them in this document, and they will also find freedom. Remember Mr. President, we are going to watch you in life, how you live, eat, sit, talk, behave in general. The sum total of all those things in you is your religion. You are doing the right thing, you are a man, and now the man of our nation, and we will follow you when the war becomes difficult, and we will fight for you. Good luck in this endevour, and God bless America. Light up their beards.

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