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Posted on 11/01/2005 6:57:01 PM PST by nwctwx
Note: The following text (minus the photos) is an exact quote:
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051114-3.html
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 14, 2005
President Delivers Remarks at Elmendorf AFB on War on Terror
Hangar One
Elmendorf Air Force Base
Anchorage, Alaska
In Focus: National Security
2:35 P.M. AKST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. (Applause.) Laura and I were in the neighborhood - (laughter) -- we thought we'd come by to say hello to the nation's "Arctic Warriors." (Applause.) We're proud to stand with the courageous airmen of Elmendorf Air Force Base, the soldiers of Fort Richardson, the Coast Guard -- (applause) -- the Coast Guard men and women here in Alaska -- (applause) -- the men and women of the Alaskan Command, and all those who wear the uniform of our country. (Applause.)
The General is right about one thing -- (laughter) -- I did live in Alaska. (Laughter.) In 1974, and I remember it just the way it looked coming in on Air Force One, this vast, majestic land, so beautiful, and full of decent, honorable, independent-minded people. (Applause.) People who love their country. (Applause.)
Here at Elmendorf Air Force Base, you're defending our nation's frontiers. You're securing freedom for future generations of Americans. Servicemen and women have departed this base to help liberate Iraq and Afghanistan, assist tsunami victims in Indonesia, and help those hit by the recent earthquake in Pakistan. Your courage and commitment are saving lives every day. First thing I want to tell you is the American people are grateful for your service -- and so is the Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.)
I also want to thank the military families who are with us today. (Applause.) Please be seated unless you don't have a seat. (Laughter.) I know that for many of you Alaska is a long way from home -- and it gets especially lonely when your loved ones are deployed on dangerous missions in distant lands. You have built a strong and close-knit community here. You support each other -- and you support your loved ones who stand in harm's way. I am proud of our men and women in the armed forces -- and I am grateful to the military families who stand behind them. (Applause.)
I want to thank General Fraser and his wife, Rena. I appreciate Brigadier General Hawk Carlisle. (Applause.) Kind of sounds like a general -- Hawk Carlisle. (Laughter.) I appreciate Craig Christensen and Hazen Baron.
I want to thank Senator Lisa Murkowski for flying all the way from Washington today to make sure she was here to see her fellow Alaskans, as well as to be with the President. It means a lot to me. I don't know if you know this or not, but after this speech, she said, make sure you keep it short because she's got to fly back to Washington this evening to make important votes for the people of Alaska. Lisa, thank you for your service. (Applause.) She's doing a fine job. And I see she brought her parents with her.
Governor and First Lady Nancy, thank you all for being here. We're proud to share the stage with you. I want to thank the Lieutenant Governor and his wife, Carolyn, for joining us. I appreciate the mayor of the City of Anchorage, Mayor Begich, and his wife, Deborah, for joining us today. I want to welcome former Governor Walter Hickle here today. He's a man who served his country and his state with dignity and class. (Applause.) I know we got a lot of state and statehouse folks and local folks, thank you all for being here. But most of all, thank you. Thanks for taking time out of your day to let me come by and share some thoughts with you.
In the 20th century, the men and women of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson stood guard on the frontlines of freedom -- serving in the shadow of the Soviet Union. From here, you gave our nation "Top Cover" -- standing ready to defend America at a moment's notice. And because of the courage of men and women like those who served here, the cause of liberty prevailed in the Cold War -- and millions who once lived in chains now live in freedom. (Applause.)
On September the 11th, 2001, history called on our nation to defend freedom once again. On that morning more than four years ago, Americans witnessed the violence and the hatred of a new enemy. We saw the terrorists' destructive vision for us and for all who love freedom. And in the face of this threat, our nation has made a clear choice: We will confront this mortal danger. We will stay on the offensive, we will not wait to be attacked again, and we will press on until this war is won. (Applause.)
This is a vital mission for our armed forces, and you're helping to carry out that mission. Since September the 11th, 2001, thousands of men and women from Elmendorf, Fort Richardson, U.S. Army Alaska, and Alaska National Guard have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other fronts in the war on terror. The 517th Airlift Squadron has served for over a year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Applause.) Crews from the 68th Medical Company have saved the lives of our injured and wounded in Afghanistan. The 172nd Stryker Combat Team is taking the fight to the enemy with Task Force Freedom in Mosul. (Applause.) Soldiers of the 95th Chemical Company are in Kuwait dealing with port decontamination and hazardous material operations. And the Fourth Battalion of the 123rd Aviation Regiment has been flying support missions throughout Iraq and Kuwait. From the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, America's Arctic Warriors are leaving their mark, and leaving a legacy of freedom. (Applause.)
Each of you is a volunteer. You stepped forward and took an oath to defend America. And every day you put on your uniforms, you reflect our nation's highest values and our greatest hopes. Through your hard work and dedication to duty, you are sacrificing to build a better and safer world for all Americans. And as you defend our freedom, the American people stand with you. (Applause.)
Every man and woman who volunteers to defend our nation deserves an unwavering commitment to the mission, and a clear strategy for victory. And a clear strategy begins with a clear understanding of the enemy we face. For more than four years, we've seen the brutal nature of the terrorists. They've targeted the innocent in many countries, people from all walks of life. In Casablanca, they killed diners enjoying their evening meal. In Bali, they killed tourists who were on a holiday. In Beslan, they killed Russian school children. They've murdered workers in Riyadh, commuters in Madrid, and hotel guests in Jakarta, and guests at a wedding celebration in Amman, Jordan. They kill Iraqi children in Baghdad.
The tragic images of innocent victims can make it seem like these terrorist attacks are random and isolated acts of madness. While these killers choose their victims indiscriminately, their attacks flow from an ideology and a terrifying vision for the world. Their acts are evil, but they're not insane. Some call this evil Islamic radicalism; others, militant jihadism; still others, Islamo-fascism. Whatever we choose to call this enemy, we must recognize that this ideology is very different from the tenets of the great religion of Islam. This form of radicalism exploits Islam to serve a violent, political vision: the establishment -- by terrorism, subversion, and insurgency -- of a totalitarian empire that denies all political and religious freedom.
We know this vision of the radicals because they openly state it. They put it in videos and audiotapes and letters and declarations and on websites. These extremists want to end American and Western influence in the broader Middle East, because we stand for democracy and peace and stand in the way of their ambitions.
The tactics of al Qaeda and other Islamic extremists have been consistent for a quarter century: They hit us, and they expect us to run. The terrorists witnessed our response after the attacks on American troops in Beirut in 1983, and in Mogadishu in 1993, and they concluded that America can be made to run again -- only this time on a larger scale, with greater consequences. The terrorists are mistaken. America will never run. We will stand, we will fight, and we will win the war on terror. (Applause.)
The terrorists want to use the vacuum that would be created by an American retreat to gain control of a country, to build a base from which to launch attacks and conduct their war against America and non-radical Muslim governments. That's what they tell us. That's their stated goal. Over the past few decades, radicals have specifically targeted Egypt and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and Jordan for potential takeover. And for a time, they achieved their goal in Afghanistan -- until they came face to face with the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. (Applause.)
In Afghanistan, we put the terrorists on the run, we routed them, and now they've set their sights on another country. They're trying to turn Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban -- a terrorist sanctuary from which they can plan and launch attacks against our people. The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in their war against humanity. And we must recognize Iraq as the central front in the war on terror.
These militants believe that controlling one country will rally the Muslim masses, enabling them to overthrow moderate governments in the region, and establish a radical Islamic empire that reaches from Indonesia to Spain. If they are not stopped, the terrorists will be able to advance their agenda to develop weapons of mass destruction, to destroy Israel, to intimidate Europe, to break our will and blackmail our government into isolation. I make you this solemn commitment: That's not going to happen so long as I'm the President of the United States. (Applause.)
Some might be tempted to dismiss the terrorist goals as fanatical or extreme. They are fanatical and extreme -- but we cannot afford to dismiss them. Evil men, obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience, must be taken very seriously. Against such an enemy, there is only one effective response: We will never back down, we will never give in, and we will never accept anything less than complete victory. (Applause.)
We didn't ask for this global struggle, but we're answering history's call with confidence, and with a comprehensive strategy to win this war.
First, we are determined to prevent attacks by terrorist networks -- by protecting the homeland, and working with our allies to destroy the terrorist networks and incapacitate their leadership. Together with our coalition partners, we've disrupted a number of serious al Qaeda terrorist plots since September the 11th -- including several plots here on the homeland. Our coalition against terror has stayed on the offensive. We have killed or captured nearly all those directly responsible for the September the 11th attacks. (Applause.) We have killed or captured several of bin Laden's most senior deputies, including that -- the man who planned the U.S. -- the bombing of the USS Cole. We've killed and captured al Qaeda and -- and managers -- al Qaeda managers and operatives in countries all around the world. We will stay on the hunt. We will keep the pressure on these people. We will not relent until the terror networks that threaten us are exposed and broken, and their leaders are held to account for their murder. (Applause.)
Second, we are determined to deny weapons of mass destruction to outlaw regimes, and to their terrorist allies who would use them without hesitation. Working with Great Britain and Pakistan and other nations, we exposed and disrupted a major black-market operation in nuclear technology led by A.Q. Khan. Libya has abandoned its chemical and nuclear weapons programs, as well as its long-range ballistic missiles. And in the last year, America and our partners in the Proliferation Security Initiative have stopped more than a dozen shipments of suspect weapons technology -- including equipment for Iran's ballistic missile program. We're going to continue to deny the world's most dangerous men the world's most dangerous weapons.
Third, we're determined to deny radical groups the support and sanctuary of outlaw regimes. So I've laid out a clear doctrine: The United States makes no distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who support and harbor the terrorists because they're equally guilty of murder. (Applause.) Any government that chooses to be an ally of terror has also chosen to be an enemy of civilization -- and the civilized world will hold those regimes to account.
Fourth, we're determined to deny the militants control of any nation, which they would use as a home base and a launching pad for terror. This mission has brought new and urgent responsibilities to all who wear the uniform. American troops are fighting beside our Afghan partners against the remnants of the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies. And you're fighting alongside courageous Iraqis against the remnants of a regime and a network of terrorists who want to stop the advance of a free Iraq. Our goal is to defeat the terrorists and their allies in the heart of their power, so we will defeat the enemy in Iraq.
As we pursue the terrorists, we have a strategy to go forward. Our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so they can defend their people and take the fight to the enemy. And we're making steady progress. With every passing month, more and more Iraqi forces are standing up, and the Iraqi military is gaining new capabilities and new confidence. At the time of our Fallujah operations just a year ago, there were only a few Iraqi army battalions in combat. Today, there are nearly 90 Iraqi army battalions fighting the terrorists alongside our forces. American and Iraqi troops are conducting major assaults to clear out enemy fighters in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq. Iraqi police and security forces are helping clear the terrorists from their strongholds, hold on to the areas we've cleared, and prevent the enemy from returning.
Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down. And when our commanders on the ground tell me that the Iraqi forces can defend their freedom, our troops will come home with the honor they have earned. (Applause.)
And the second part of our strategy is a political strategy. Iraqis are making inspiring progress toward building a democracy. A month ago, millions of Iraqis turned out to vote for a constitution that guarantees fundamental freedoms and lays the foundation for a lasting democracy. In a few weeks, Iraqis will vote again, to choose a fully constitutional government to lead them for the next four years. This country is making amazing progress from the days of being under the thumb of a brutal tyrant. In two-and-a-half years, they've gone from tyranny, to an election for a transitional government, to the ratification of a constitution, to the election of a free government. It's amazing progress when you think about it. (Applause.)
The Iraqi people are proving their determination to build a future founded on democracy and peace. And the United States of America will help them succeed. (Applause.)
The fifth element of our strategy in the war on terror is to deny the militants future recruits by replacing hatred and resentment with democracy and hope across the broader Middle East. If the Middle East is left to grow in bitterness, if countries remain in misery while radicals stir the resentments of millions, then that part of the world will be a source of endless conflict and mounting danger. If the peoples of that region are permitted to choose their own destiny, and advance by their own energy and participation as free men and free women, then the extremists will be marginalized, and the flow of violent radicalism to the rest of the world will slow and eventually end. History has proven that free nations are peaceful nations, and that democracies do not fight their neighbors. By advancing the hope of freedom and democracy for others, we make our own freedom more secure. (Applause.)
The work ahead involves great risk. A time of war is a time of sacrifice, and the greatest burden falls on our military families. We've lost some of our nation's finest men and women in the war on terror. Each of these men and women left grieving families and loved ones back home. Each loss is heartbreaking. And the best way to honor the sacrifices of our fallen troops is to complete the mission and lay the foundation of peace for generations to come. (Applause.)
The outcome of this war will affect every single American. And that makes it a subject of vital debate. And it's important to be clear about the facts. When our nation was attacked on September the 11th, leaders of both political parties recognized a new reality: If we wait for threats to fully materialize, we will have waited too long. We had to take a hard look at every threat to America after September the 11th, and when we did, one stood apart: Saddam Hussein.
Under Saddam's dictatorship, Iraq was the only country in the world where American military pilots faced regular attack. Iraq was the only country that had used chemical weapons on its own people, invaded its neighbors, and fought a war against the United States and a great coalition. Iraq was only one of seven countries listed as a state sponsor of terror, and it was judged by intelligence agencies around the globe to possess weapons of mass destruction. After more than a decade of diplomacy, we gave Saddam Hussein a final chance to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, ordering him to disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences. When he refused, we had a choice: Do we take the word of a madman and forget the lessons of September the 11th, or do we take action to defend our country? Given that choice, I will defend America every time. (Applause.)
Combat forces of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Poland, and other countries enforced the demands of the United Nations, and put an end to Saddam's regime. Because we acted, the Iraqi people now live in freedom, and the people of the United States are safer.
Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war, but it is irresponsible for Democrats to now claim that we misled them and the American people. Leaders in my administration and members of the United States Congress from both political parties looked at the same intelligence on Iraq, and reached the same conclusion: Saddam Hussein was a threat.
Let me give you some quotes from three senior Democrat leaders: First, and I quote, "There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons." Another senior Democrat leader said, "The war against terrorism will not be finished as long as Saddam Hussein is in power." Here's another quote from a senior Democrat leader: "Saddam Hussein, in effect, has thumbed his nose at the world community. And I think the President is approaching this in the right fashion."
They spoke the truth then, and they're speaking politics now. (Applause.)
The truth is that investigations of intelligence on Iraq have concluded that only one person manipulated evidence and misled the world -- and that person was Saddam Hussein. In early 2004, when weapons inspector David Kay testified that he had not found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he also testified that, "Iraq was in clear material violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441. They maintained programs and activities, and they certainly had the intentions at a point to resume their programs. So there was a lot they wanted to hide because it showed what they were doing that was illegal."
Eight months later, weapons inspector Charles Duelfer issued a report that found, "Saddam Hussein so dominated the Iraqi regime that its strategic intent was his alone. He wanted to end sanctions while preserving the capability to reconstitute his weapons of mass destruction when the sanctions were lifted."
Some of our elected leaders have opposed this war all along. I disagreed with them, but I respect their willingness to take a consistent stand. Yet some Democrats who voted to authorize the use of force are now rewriting the past. They are playing politics with this issue and they are sending mixed signals to our troops and the enemy. And that's irresponsible.
As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy our way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send them into war continue to stand behind them. (Applause.) Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. (Applause.) And our troops deserve to know that whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. (Applause.)
Thanks to our men and women in uniform, the Iraqi and Afghan people are building democracies, and as they do so, they inspire people across the broader Middle East. And freedom's advance has only just begun. In our lifetime, we've seen the power of freedom to conquer evil, and take root in previously unfamiliar soil. Freedom is the mightiest force of history -- because the desire for liberty is embedded in the soul of every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth. (Applause.) If we are steadfast, if we do our duty, this young century will be freedom's century -- and we will have done our duty by laying the foundation of peace for generations to come. (Applause.)
We'll -- be honored -- are honored to be here with those who wear our nation's uniform. We're honored to be here with those who support those who wear our nation's uniform. And we're really happy to be back in Alaska. May God bless our troops, may God bless their families, and God continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you all. (Applause.)
END 3:09 P.M. AKST
Note: The following text (minus the photos) is an exact quote:
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Home > News & Policies > Policies in Focus
President George W. Bush greets the audience after delivering remarks on the war on terror, Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 at the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, Pa. White House photo by Eric Draper
Fighting a Global War on Terror
"At this hour, a new generation of Americans is defending our flag and our freedom in the first war of the 21st century. The war came to our shores on September the 11th, 2001. That morning, we saw the destruction that terrorists intend for our nation. We know that they want to strike again. And our nation has made a clear choice: We will confront this mortal danger to all humanity; we will not tire or rest until the war on terror is won."
-- President George W. Bush
November 11, 2005
America Has A Clear Strategy For Victory In The War On Terror
On October 6, 2005, President Bush Addressed The National Endowment For Democracy On The Nature Of The Enemy We Face And The Strategy For Victory. In this new century, freedom is once again under assault. The President outlined the ideology of the terrorists and the strategy needed to defeat this danger and see freedom's victory.
In The Four Years Since September 11th, The United States And The World Have Been Committed To Winning The War On Terror. The evil that came to our shores on September 11th has reappeared on other days and in other places. In cities across the world, we have seen images of destruction and suffering that can seem like random acts of madness but are part of a larger terrorist threat. To combat this evil, we must remember the calling of September 11th - we will confront this mortal danger to all humanity and not tire or rest until the war on terror is won.
Muslims Are Playing A Vital Role In The War On Terror. Muslim leaders are denouncing terrorism, and the time has come for all responsible Islamic leaders to denounce an ideology that exploits Islam for political ends and defiles a noble faith. Many Muslims have joined the fight against extremism. The United States is proud to stand by those who stand up for the liberty, justice, and humanity of their own tradition.
The Militant Threat And The Importance Of Winning The War On Terror
The Terrorists Serve A Clear And Focused Ideology. The ideology known as Islamic radicalism, militant Jihadism, or Islamo-fascism - different from the religion of Islam - exploits Islam to serve a violent political vision that calls for the murder of all those who do not share it. The followers of Islamic radicalism are bound together by their shared ideology, not by any centralized command structure. Although they fight on scattered battlefields, these terrorists share a similar ideology and vision for the world openly stated in videos, audiotapes, letters, declarations, and websites.
First, These Extremists Are Determined To End American And Western Influence In The Middle East. Because the United States is spreading democracy and peace, we stand in the way of their radical ambitions. Al-Qaida's leader Osama Bin Laden has called on Muslims to dedicate their "resources, sons and money to driving the infidels out of their lands." To meet this goal, they hit us and expect us to run in the hope that we will repeat the sad history of Beirut in 1983 and Mogadishu in 1993 - only this time on a larger scale and with greater consequences.
Second, The Militant Network Wants to Use The Vacuum Created By Retreat To Expand Its Power. As they once did in Afghanistan and are trying to do now in Iraq, they will seek to gain control of an entire country - a base from which to launch attacks and conduct their war against non-radical Muslim governments.
Third, From Their New Base, These Militants Will Seek To Establish A Radical Islamic Empire. The militants believe that controlling one country will rally the Muslim masses, enabling them to overthrow moderate governments in the Middle East and establish a radical Islamic empire that spreads from Spain to Indonesia.
To Accomplish Their Extremist Agenda, The Militants Thrive On The Suffering And Frustrations Of Others. The radicals exploit local conflicts to build a culture of victimization, exploit resentful and disillusioned young men and women, and use modern technology to multiply their destructive power.
In Pursuit Of Their Goals, Islamic Radicals Are Empowered By Helpers And Enablers. They are sheltered and supported by authoritarian regimes - allies of convenience like Syria and Iran - that share the goal of hurting America and moderate Muslim governments, and that use terrorist propaganda to blame their own failures on the West, America, and Jews. They are strengthened by front operations - such as corrupted charities - and those who aggressively fund the spread of radical, intolerant versions of Islam. The militants are aided by elements of the Arab news media that incite hatred and anti-Semitism, feed conspiracy theories, and speak of a so-called American "war on Islam" - with seldom a word about American action to protect Muslims in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Somalia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq.
This Extremism Cannot Be Given Concessions, Bribed, Or Appeased. We Must Never Accept Anything Less Than Victory. To those who argue that extremism has been strengthened by the actions of our Coalition in Iraq, we must remember that we were not in Iraq on September 11, 2001. The radicals' hatred existed before Iraq was an issue, and it will exist after Iraq is an excuse. The government of Russia did not support Operation Iraqi Freedom, and yet the Islamic militants killed more than 180 Russian schoolchildren in Beslan.
Islamic Radicalism Is Another In A Line Of Bankrupt Ideologies:
The Islamic Radical Threat Of This Century Greatly Resembles The Bankrupt Ideology Of The Last. The murderous ideology of the Islamic radicals is the great challenge of our century. Yet, in many ways, this fight resembles the struggle against communism in the last century.
Like Communism, Islamic Radicalism Is Led By An Elitist Self-Appointed Vanguard That Presumes To Speak For The Muslim Masses. Bin Laden says his role is to tell Muslims "what is good for them and what is not." What this man who grew up in wealth and privilege considers good for poor Muslims is that they become killers and suicide bombers. He assures them that this is the road to paradise - though he never offers to go along for the ride.
Islamic Radicals Purposely Target Innocent Individuals For A Political Vision. This explains their cold-blooded contempt for human life seen in the murders of Daniel Pearl, Nicholas Berg, Margaret Hassan, and many others. These militants have shown themselves to be enemies of not only America and Iraq, but enemies of Islam and humanity. The world has witnessed this kind of cruelty before - the heartless zealotry that led to the gulags, the Cultural Revolution, and the killing fields.
Islamic Radicals Pursue Totalitarian Aims. Islamic Radical leaders have endless ambitions of imperial domination, and they wish to make everyone powerless except themselves. While promising a future of justice and holiness, the terrorists are preparing a future of oppression and misery - banning dissent and books, brutalizing women, and controlling every aspect of life.
Islamic Radicalism Is Dismissive Of Free Peoples. Zarqawi has said that Americans are "the most cowardly of God's creatures." However, it is cowardice that kills children and the elderly with car bombs, cuts the throat of a bound captive, or targets worshipers leaving a mosque. It is courage that liberated 50 million people from tyranny, keeps an untiring vigil against the enemies of a rising democracy, and will once again destroy the enemies of freedom.
And Like Communism, Islamic Radicalism Contains Inherent Contradictions That Doom It To Failure. By fearing freedom, distrusting human creativity, punishing change, and limiting the contributions of half the population, this ideology declares war on the idea of progress itself. The only thing modern about the militants' vision is the weapons they seek to use. The outcome of this war is not in doubt - those who despise freedom and progress have condemned themselves to isolation, decline, and collapse. Because free people believe in the future, they will own the future.
The Strategy To Win
The President Outlined The Strategy To Win The War On Terror. Defeating a broad and adaptive network requires patience, constant pressure, and strong partners. Working with these partners, the U.S. is disrupting militant conspiracies, destroying their ability to make war, and giving millions a hopeful alternative to resentment and violence.
First, We Are Preventing Terrorist Attacks Before They Occur. We are reorganizing government for a broad and coordinated homeland defense, reforming intelligence agencies for the difficult task of tracking enemy activity, and acting, along with governments from many countries, to destroy the terrorist networks and incapacitate their leaders. We have prevented terrorist plots and Al-Qaida efforts to case targets in the United States. Because of strikes against terrorist leaders and disruption of their plots, the enemy is wounded but still capable of deadly operations around the globe. Our commitment is clear: we will not relent until the organized international terror networks are exposed and broken and their leaders held to account for their acts of murder.
Second, We Are Denying Weapons Of Mass Destruction To Outlaw Regimes And Their Terrorist Allies. Working with Great Britain, Pakistan, and other nations, we shut down A.Q. Khan's black-market operation in nuclear technology. Libya abandoned its chemical and nuclear weapons programs, as well as its long-range ballistic missiles. In the last year, America and our partners in the Proliferation Security Initiative have stopped more than a dozen shipments of suspect weapons technology - including equipment for Iran's ballistic missile programs. This progress has reduced the danger, but not removed it. Evil men still work to gain these weapons, and we are working urgently to keep them out of their hands.
Third, We Are Determined To Deny Radical Groups The Support And Sanctuary Of Outlaw Regimes. State sponsors like Syria and Iran have a long history of collaboration with terrorists - and they deserve no patience from the victims of terror. The United States makes no distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who support and harbor terrorists, because they are equally guilty of murder.
Fourth, We Are Fighting To Deny The Militants Control Of Any Nation. The United States is fighting beside our Afghan partners against the remnants of the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies. We are working with President Musharraf to isolate the militants in Pakistan. We are fighting the terrorists and regime remnants in Iraq who seek to overthrow a democracy, claim a strategic country as a haven of terror, destabilize the Middle East, and strike America and other free nations with ever increasing violence. Our goal is to defeat the terrorists and their allies at the heart of their power - and we are achieving this goal.
With Iraqi Forces, The Coalition Is Fighting The Enemy With A Comprehensive And Specific Military Plan. We are improving the lives of Iraqi citizens by conducting offensive operations to clear out enemy forces and leave Iraqi units behind to prevent the enemy from returning. With our help, the Iraqi military is gaining new capabilities and new confidence with every passing month. At the time of our Fallujah operations 11 months ago, there were only a few Iraqi battalions in combat - today there are more than 80. The progress is not easy, but it is steady.
Iraq Is Making Incredible Political Progress. The extremists in Iraq are not patriots or resistance fighters but murderers at war with the Iraqi people. In contrast, the elected leaders of Iraq are proving to be strong and steadfast. In the space of two and a half years, Iraq has made incredible progress on the path to becoming a democracy. It is true that the seeds of freedom have only recently been planted, but we are confident that if our Coalition and the Iraqi people each does their part, Iraqi democracy will succeed.
We Must Reject The Dangerous Illusion Of Those Who Claim That America Would Be Better Off By Cutting Our Losses And Leaving Iraq Now. Having removed a dictator who hated free peoples, we will not stand by as a new set of killers seize control of Iraq. There is always a temptation, in the middle of a long struggle, to seek the quiet life, escape the duties and problems of the world, and hope the enemy grows weary. However, this enemy is never tired and considers every retreat an invitation to greater violence. In Iraq, there is no peace without victory. We will keep our nerve and win that victory.
Fifth, We Are Denying The Militants Future Recruits By Advancing Democracy And Hope Across The Broader Middle East. If the region is left to grow in bitterness and misery, while radicals stir the resentments of millions, then that part of the world will be a source of endless conflict and mounting danger. However, the extremists will be marginalized and their violence ended if the peoples of that region are permitted to choose their own destiny and advance by their own energy and participation as free men and women. America is making this stand in practical ways. We are encouraging our friends in the Middle East, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to take the path of reform to strengthen their own societies in the fight against terror by respecting the rights of people. We are standing with dissidents and exiles against oppressive regimes, because we know that the dissidents of today will be the democratic leaders of tomorrow. We are making our case through public diplomacy - stating clearly and confidently our belief in self-determination, religious freedom, and equal rights for women. By standing for the hope and freedom of others, we will make our own freedom more secure.
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051114-2.html
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 14, 2005
President's Statement on H.R. 3057, the "Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006"
Today, I have signed into law H.R. 3057, the "Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006." The Act provides funds in support of United States foreign policy objectives abroad.
The Executive Branch shall construe as advisory certain provisions of the Act that purport to direct or burden the President's constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations, either by purporting to direct the content of certain international negotiations and communications or by directing the Executive Branch to collaborate with other entities in the development of foreign policy. These provisions include sections 506(a), 514, 551, 561(a) and (d), 562, 575(a), 590(b) and 593.
The Executive Branch shall also construe certain provisions of the Act that purport to make consultation with the Congress a precondition to the execution of the law as calling for, but not mandating, such consultation, as is consistent with the Constitution's provisions concerning the separate powers of the Congress to legislate and of the President to execute the laws. Such provisions include sections 506(e), 509(b), 512, 534(k), 543(b), 564(b), 576(c), 595, and provisions under the headings "Transition Initiatives," USAID; "Andean Counterdrug Initiative," Department of State; and "Debt Restructuring," Department of the Treasury.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 14, 2005.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522264/posts
"Dollar near 2-yr high vs euro and yen"
Reuters ^ | November 15, 2005 | Eric Burroughs
Posted on 11/15/2005 2:22:58 AM PST by RWR8189
http://www.wtop.com/index.php?nid=255&sid=622308
"Israel, Palestinians OK Gaza Border Deal"
Updated: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005 - 3:27 AM
JERUSALEM (AP)
http://www.klewtv.com/x68838.xml
November 14, 2005
"Federal Inspectors To Visit Idaho Feedlots"
?(BOISE - AP) -
ARTICLE SNIPPET:
"EPA officials note that Idaho inspectors have failed to inspect the number of feedlots it committed to in a 2001 agreement.
They also note a 2004 audit that found 12 Idaho feedlots in violation that had all been passed by Idaho inspectors."
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003886.htm
"OPEN BORDERS, DEAD COPS"
By Michelle Malkin · November 14, 2005 04:36 PM
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522271/posts
"'Terror brawl group' get bail"
news.com.au ^ | 15th November 2005 | Mariza Fiamengo
Posted on 11/15/2005 2:43:15 AM PST by naturalman1975
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "FIVE men accused of being involved in a wild attack on media outside a Melbourne court were arrested today and charged with offences including assault and affray.
The men, who are relatives and friends of alleged terror group members, were released on bail after a brief appearance in Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
They are accused of an unprovoked attack on news photographers and cameramen who were filming them leaving court last Tuesday.
They were at the court to support nine men charged with being members of a terrorist group.
Abdul Sayadi, 24, of Brunswick, Nasser Raad, 27, of North Coburg, Monzer Ramadan, 28, of Coburg, Majed Raad, 21, of Coburg, and Bassam Raad, 24, of Meadow Heights, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court after being arrested by police this morning.
Each has been charged with affray and assault.
Sayadi, Nasser Raad and Ramadan have also been charged with behaving in a riotous manner.
Senior Detective Dale Fitzgerald told the court a large media contingent followed the five men as they left the court last Tuesday and an altercation took place between a Seven Network cameraman, Sayadi and Ramadan.
As this occurred they attacked the cameraman and the other three men joined in the "unprovoked" assault, he said.
He said two Seven cameramen suffered injuries and one was punched in the face.
The prosecution did not oppose bail for the men, including the condition they surrender their passports to police within 24 hours."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522273/posts
"Rumsfeld visit terror alert"
news.com.au ^ | 15th November 2005 | Lauren Ahwan
Posted on 11/15/2005 2:48:20 AM PST by naturalman1975
ARTICL SNIPPET: "ADELAIDE police are on high alert for possible terrorist attacks to coincide with a visit by United States Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Police say more than 500 officers will be stationed in central Adelaide from tomorrow, scouring rubbish bins and other potential places to conceal bombs.
Mr Rumsfeld is expected to arrive in Adelaide on Thursday for the Australia-United States Ministerial Meeting (Ausmin), to be hosted by Defence Minister Robert Hill and Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.
Deputy US Secretary of State Bob Zoellick will also attend the two-day meeting.
South Australian assistant commissioner Gary Burns said police had been planning for the event for the past two months and were prepared for terrorist threats and mass demonstrations from protesters opposed to the war in Iraq.
He said the recent terror arrests in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as yesterday's public transport shutdown in Brisbane after a hoax bomb threat, added another dimension to preparations for Ausmin.
Mr Burns said there was no intelligence to suggest a terrorist threat in Adelaide, despite Mr Rumsfeld being one of the world's top terrorist targets.
"We haven't had any specific threats," he said.
"The national terror alert stays at medium."
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200511\FOR20051115a.html
"Free Speech Violations Highlighted Ahead of UN Internet Summit"
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
November 15, 2005
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "(CNSNews.com) - Police in Tunisia Monday manhandled foreign and local press freedom advocates, preventing them from holding a meeting on the sidelines of this week's U.N. Internet summit, campaigners said.
Authorities also reportedly denied access within the country to a website for a meeting of non-governmental organizations planned to run alongside the main event beginning Wednesday, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
Rights groups long ago questioned the wisdom of allowing a government with a poor human rights record -- and one which censors the Internet -- to host the summit.
Other countries criticized for human rights and press freedom violations, including China and Iran, are among those spearheading attempts to wrestle supervision of the Internet away from the United States."
Thanks to Jet Jaguar for pinging me to this thread:
---
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522267/posts
"Venezuelan troops get provocative book"
Miami Herald ^ | November 15, 2005 | PHIL GUNSON
Posted on 11/15/2005 2:33:31 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "CARACAS - A book published and distributed by the Venezuelan army argues that ''revolutionary Islam'' and U.S. religious extremism are moral equivalents and quotes approvingly from the Venezuelan terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal.
The 250-page Peripheral Warfare and Revolutionary Islam was written by Spanish politician and academic Jorge Verstrynge and is being distributed on the personal orders of Army Chief Gen. Raúl Baduel, a long-time supporter of leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
Baduel's office said he's not available for an interview until January. Armed Forces Inspector General Gen. Melvin López Hidalgo said he was unaware of the book but argued that its publication by the army should not be taken as ''tacit support for the opinions it contains.'' It's simply an example of ''freedom of expression,'' he added.
The book focuses on asymmetrical warfare, a term for ''David and Goliath'' conflicts between adversaries of vastly different capacities, such as the war between U.S. forces and Iraqi insurgents.
Verstrynge was a keynote speaker at a recent military conference in Caracas on asymmetrical warfare, which has been adopted by the Venezuelan military as a key defensive concept, based on a possible attack by U.S. forces to seize Venezuela's oil wealth or topple Chávez.
''For us, it would have to be a war of resistance,'' said Baduel in a speech last month."
Speaking of "asymmetrical warfare"...
http://internet-haganah.us/harchives/005211.html
21 October 2005
"Al Qaida 'discovers' asymmetrical warfare"
Mossad!!! {{{{Hugs}}}}
So very, very nice to see you.
You have been sorely missed.
We're here for you.
God bless you and comfort you in these difficult times.
bookmark
>> Butcher Shop? <<
I butcher all my own venison. I don't like to take my kills to commercial shops because I don't know how clean the environment is and you really don't know if you're getting your own meat back.
The silence is deafening.
Terror attack likely in India: Australia
Australia has advised its nationals to stay away from Indian hotels and other tourist locations as terrorist attacks are likely in 'the next few days'.
http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/nov/15aus.htm
Reports: Berlusconi hints at threats against him, says bodyguards 'risk blowing up with me'
Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who said recently that he had been the target of a suicide terror plot, hinted at ongoing threats Tuesday, saying his bodyguards are nervous because they "always risk blowing up with me," reports said.
The comments were made shortly after a photographer trying to follow Berlusconi at a motorcycle show in Milan was pushed by one of the premier's bodyguards and fell, the Italian news agencies ANSA and Apcom reported.
Nobody was immediately available to confirm the reports at Berlusconi's office.
"I apologize on their behalf," Berlusconi was quoted as saying. "You should know that my bodyguards always risk blowing up with me."
"We are all a little shaken by the latest threats we have received," he reportedly said, without elaborating.
http://www.tkb.org/NewsStory.jsp?storyID=94070
New surveillance cameras follow Detroit-Windsor Tunnel traffic
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel officials have installed 56 video cameras to monitor the 9 million vehicles that annually pass through the one mile U.S.-Canada border crossing, keeping them in sight from toll booth to exit.
"From the minute you come onto the property to the minute you leave, you're on camera," said Trevor Pearce, a technology manager who has spent seven years setting up the system.
The cameras are part of a $30-million renovation of the tunnel, which was built for $23 million and opened in 1930.
Tunnel officials say the monitoring is needed for the safety and efficiency of the tunnel. They say its main use is to watch for vehicle accidents or breakdowns.
There also is an unspecified anti-terrorism technology installed at the tunnel by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the 2001 terror attacks, the Detroit Free Press said Tuesday.
http://www.tkb.org/NewsStory.jsp?storyID=93998
Lots of updates and insightful comments at Laura's site:
http://www.lauramansfield.com/j/default.asp
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