Posted on 09/15/2001 8:06:18 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
U.S. Newswire
15 Sep 12:47
To: National Desk
Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2580
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was
released today by the White House:
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL,
AND ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT
Camp David
Thurmont, Md.
9:19 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: I've asked the highest levels of our
government to come to discuss the current tragedy that has so
deeply affected our nation. Our country mourns for the loss of
life and for those whose lives have been so deeply affected by
this despicable act of terror.
I am going to describe to our leadership what I saw: the
wreckage of New York City, the signs of the first battle of war.
We're going to meet and deliberate and discuss - but there's
no question about it, this act will not stand; we will find
those who did it; we will smoke them out of their holes; we will
get them running and we'll bring them to justice. We will not
only deal with those who dare attack America, we will deal with
those who harbor them and feed them and house them.
Make no mistake about it: underneath our tears is the strong
determination of America to win this war. And we will win it.
I'm going to ask the Secretary of State to say a few things,
and then the Attorney General.
SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you, Mr. President. I might just say
that I'm very pleased with the response we've been getting from
the international community. I think every civilized nation in
the world recognizes that this was an assault not just against
the United States, but against civilization.
We should also take note, it's not just Americans who lost
lives in the World Trade Center -- dozens of countries lost lives
and they realize that this was an attack against them, as well.
We are receiving expressions of support from around the
world -- and not just rhetorical support, but real support for
whatever may lay ahead in this campaign that is ahead of us to
win the war that the President has spoken of.
I might especially want to thank the President and the
people of Pakistan for the support that they have offered and
their willingness to assist us in whatever might be required in
that part of the world as we determine who those perpetrators
are. It's a coalition that will stay intact, that will be built
upon over time. And what we have to do is not just go after
these perpetrators, and those who gave them haven, but the whole
curse of terrorism that is upon the face of the earth. And this
is a campaign that we have begun this week and we will stick
with it until we are successful.
THE PRESIDENT: Attorney General.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT: Four days ago we began an
investigative effort to understand not only those who perpetrate
this heinous assault against America and free people everywhere,
but to develop an understanding of those who are associated with
it and how it was conducted.
The FBI, together with very cooperative local and state
officials and law enforcement agencies has processed thousands
of leads. We are making the kinds of contacts and developing the
information that allow us to describe this as proceeding with
reasonable success. We believe that the picture is developing a
kind of clarity that's appropriate. We have named 19 individuals
that we have high levels of confidence were the hijackers. And
we are further refining our understanding of the ways in which
this terrible crime was developed.
I might add that we have put in place very serious measures
that we believe will provide greater security and provide a
basis for our country returning to the kind of freedom and
business and conduct that is characteristic of this great
nation.
Q Sir, what do you say to Americans who are worried that
the longer it takes to retaliate, the more chance the
perpetrators have to escape and hide and just escape justice?
THE PRESIDENT: They will try to hide, they will try to avoid
the United States and our allies -- but we're not going to let
them. They run to the hills; they find holes to get in. And we
will do whatever it takes to smoke them out and get them
running, and we'll get them.
Listen, this is a great nation; we're a kind people. None of
us could have envisioned the barbaric acts of these terrorists.
But they have stirred up the might of the American people, and
we're going to get them, no matter what it takes.
In my radio address today I explained to the American people
that this effort may require patience. But we're going to --
Q How long --
THE PRESIDENT: As long as it takes. And it's not just one
person.We're talking about those who fed them, those who house
them, those who harbor terrorists will be held accountable for
this action.
Q Sir, are you satisfied that Osama bin Laden is at least
a kingpin of this operation?
THE PRESIDENT: There is no question he is what we would call
a prime suspect. And if he thinks he can hide and run from the
United States and our allies, he will be sorely mistaken.
Q Mr. President, do you have a message for the Reservists
that you called up yesterday? Can you tell us whether you think
more may have to be called up?
THE PRESIDENT: The message is for everybody who wears the
uniform: get ready. The United States will do what it takes to
win this war. And I ask patience of the American people. There
is no question in my mind we'll have the resolve -- I witnessed
it yesterday on the construction site. Behind the sadness and
the exhaustion, there is a desire by the American people to not
seek only revenge, but to win a war against barbaric behavior,
people that hate freedom and hate what we stand for.
And this is an administration that is going to dedicate
ourselves to winning that war.
Q What did Pakistan say it would do to help the United
States?
SECRETARY POWELL: We put before the Pakistani government a
specific list of things that we would like cooperation on, and
they've agreed to all those items. I'm not prepared to announce
today what those specific items are. But the Pakistani
government was very forthcoming and we're appreciative.
Q Mr. President, what kind of military options are you
considering, if you could talk broadly?
THE PRESIDENT: This is an administration that will not talk
about how we gather intelligence, how we know what we're going
to do, nor what our plans are. When we move, we will communicate
with you in an appropriate manner.
We're at war. There has been an act of war declared upon America
by terrorists, and we will respond accordingly. And I appreciate
very much the American people understanding that. As we plan, as
we put our strategy into action, we will let you know when we
think it's appropriate -- not only to protect the lives of our
servicemen and women, but to make sure our coalition has had
proper time to be noticed, as well. But we're going to act.
Q What is the risk of additional attacks on us at this
point?
THE PRESIDENT: I would think the American people need to be
-- go about their business on Monday, but with a heightened sense
of awareness that a group of barbarians have declared war on the
American people.
Q Sir, how much of a sacrifice are ordinary Americans
going to have to be expected to make in their daily lives, in
their daily routines?
THE PRESIDENT: Our hope, of course, is that they make no
sacrifice whatsoever. We would like to see life return to normal
in America. But these people have declared war on us and we
will do whatever it takes to make sure that we're safe
internally. So, therefore, people may not be able to board
flights as quickly. Our borders are tighter than they've ever
been before. We're taken a variety of measures to make sure that
the American people are safe, just as the Attorney General spoke
about.
But we hope, obviously, that the measures we take will allow
the American economy to continue on. I urge people to go to
their businesses on Monday. I understand major league baseball
is going to start playing again. It is important for America to
get on about its life. But our government will be on full alert
and we'll be tracing every lead, every potential to make sure
that the American people are safe.
Q How long do you envision --
THE PRESIDENT: The definition is whatever it takes.
END 9:28 A.M. EDT
KEYWORDS:
WHITE HOUSE, GOVERNMENT, TRANSCRIPT
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
09/15 12:47
Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire
Sorry I'm late with the bump.
Better late than never, huh? : )
Hi, *Ms. Blue*.
"When I take action I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive." .....President George W. Bush, September 16, 2001
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