|
 ood
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 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.
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.
|
