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evening. I would like to report to the American people on the state
of our war against terror, and then I'll be happy to take questions
from the White House press corps.
One month ago
today, innocent citizens from more than 80 nations were attacked
and killed without warning or provocation in an act that horrified
not only every American, but every person of every faith and every
nation who values human life.
The attack
took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the heart and
soul of the civilized world. And the world has come together to
fight a new and different war; the first — and we hope the
only — one of the 21st century; a war against all those who
seek to export terror; and a war against those governments that
support or shelter them.
We've accomplished
a great deal in one month. Our staunch friend, Great Britain; our
neighbors, Canada and Mexico; our NATO allies; our allies in Asia;
Russia; and nations from every continent on the Earth have offered
help of one kind or of another, from military assistance to intelligence
information to crackdown on terrorist financial networks.
This week,
56 Islamic nations issued a statement strongly condemning the savage
acts of terror and emphasizing that those acts contradict the peaceful
teachings of Islam. All is strong and united on the diplomatic front.
The men and
women of the United States military are doing their duty with scale
and success. We have ruined terrorist training camps, disrupted
their communications, weakened the Taliban military and destroyed
most of their air defenses.
We're mounting
a sustained campaign to drive the terrorists out of their hidden
caves and to bring them to justice. All missions are being executed
according to plan on the military front.
At the same
time, we are showing the compassion of America by delivering food
and medicine to the Afghan people, who are themselves the victims
of a repressive regime.
On the law
enforcement front, terrorists are being swept up in an international
dragnet. Several hundred have been arrested. Thousands of FBI agents
are on the trail of other suspects here and abroad. Working with
countries around the world, we have frozen more than $24 million
in al-Qaida or Taliban assets.
We are aggressively
pursuing the agents of terror around the world, and we are aggressively
strengthening our protections here at home. This week, we established
America's new Office of Homeland Security, directed by former Gov.
Tom Ridge. Americans tonight can know that while the threat is ongoing,
we are taking every possible step to protect our country from danger.
Your government
is doing everything we can to recover from these attacks and to
try to prevent others. We're acting to make planes and airports
safer, rebuild New York and the Pentagon.
We must act
to stimulate a slow economy, to help laid-off workers. And we must
fund our military.
This is a time
of testing; this time of testing has revealed the true character
of the American people. We're angry at the evil that was done to
us, yet patient and just in our response.
Before Sept.
11, my administration was planning an initiative called Communities
of Character. It was designed to help parents develop good character
in their children and to strengthen the spirit of citizenship and
service in our communities. The acts of Sept. 11 have prompted that
initiative to occur on its own in ways far greater than I could
have ever imagined.
We have shown
great love for our country and great tolerance and respect for all
our countrymen.
I was struck
by this that in many cities when Christian and Jewish women learned
that Muslim women, women of cover, were afraid of going out of their
homes alone, that they went shopping with them, that they showed
true friendship and support, an act that shows the world the true
nature of America.
Our war on
terrorism has nothing to do with differences in faith. It has everything
to do with people of all faiths coming together to condemn hate
and evil and murder and prejudice.
One month after
great suffering and sorrow, America is strong and determined and
generous. I am honored to lead such a country, and I know we are
ready for the challenges ahead.
And now I welcome
your questions.
Q:
Thank you, sir. You said that the threat is ongoing and indeed,
the deadly virus of anthrax was found in three Florida people this
week. Osama bin Laden's spokesman says storms of planes are yet
to be hijacked. Your FBI warned just today that terrorists attacks
could be happening again in the next couple of days.
If the FBI
knows of a credible threat, can you assure the public that you would
take the precaution of locking down any system involved, whether
it's buildings, airports, water systems, to prevent more deaths?
And most importantly, is there anything you can say to Americans
who feel helpless to protect themselves and their families from
the next wave of attacks if there are more to come?
What can people
do to protect themselves?
BUSH:
Sure. Today, the Justice Department did issue a blanket alert. It
was in recognition of a general threat we received. This is not
the first time the Justice Department have acted like this. I hope
it's the last, but given the attitude of the evildoers, it may not
be.
I have urged
my — our fellow Americans to go about their lives, to fly on
airplanes, to travel, to go to work. But I also want to encourage
them by telling them that our government is on full alert and that
the alert put out today by the Justice Department was such an action.
Now, if we
receive specific intelligence, where we — a credible threat
that targets a specific building or city or facility, I can assure
you, our government will do everything possible to protect the citizens
around, in or near that facility.
And let me
give you one example of a specific threat we received. You may remember
recently there was a lot of discussion about crop-dusters. We received
knowledge that perhaps an al-Qaida operative was prepared to use
a crop-duster to spray a biological weapon or a chemical weapon
on American people, and so we responded. We contacted every crop
dust location, airports from which crop-dusters leave. We notified
crop-duster manufacturers to a potential threat. We knew full well
that in order for a crop-duster to become a weapon of mass destruction
would require a retrofitting, and so we talked to machine shops
around where crop-dusters are located.
We took strong
and appropriate action, and we will do so anytime we receive a credible
threat.
Now, the American
people have got to go about their business.
We cannot let
the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation to
the point where we don't conduct business or people don't shop.
That's their
intention. Their intention was not only to kill and maim and destroy,
their intention was to frighten to the point where our nation would
not act. Their intention was to so frighten our government that
we wouldn't seek justice; that somehow we would cower in the face
of their threats and not respond abroad or at home. We're both responding
abroad and at home.
The American
people, obviously if they see something that is suspicious, something
out of the norm that looks suspicious, they ought to notify local
law authorities. But in the meantime, they ought to take comfort
in knowing our government is doing everything we possibly can.
We've got a
Homeland Security Office now running, as I mentioned, headed by
Tom Ridge.
BUSH:
We're sharing intelligence with our friends in countries from overseas.
We follow every lead. And information sharing between the CIA and
the FBI is seamless so that the reaction to any threat is real-time.
And —
but the truth of the matter is, in order to fully defend America,
we must defeat the evildoers where they hide. We must round them
up and we must bring them to justice.
And that's
exactly what we're doing in Afghanistan, the first battle in the
war of the 21st century.
Q: Yes,
Mr. President. Thank you.
You've been
careful to avoid saying how long the military strikes in Afghanistan
might take place. But can you promise to say how long American —
can you avoid being drawn into a Vietnam-like quagmire in Afghanistan?
BUSH:
We learned some very important lessons in Vietnam. Perhaps the most
important lesson that I learned is that you cannot fight a guerrilla
war with conventional forces.
That's why
I have explained to the American people that we're engaged in a
different type of war, one obviously that will use conventional
forces, but one in which we've got to fight on all fronts.
I remember
saying to you all that the first shot in the war was when we started
cutting of their money, because an al-Qaida organization can't function
without money. And we're continuing our efforts to reach out to
willing nations to disrupt and seize assets of the al-Qaida organization.
We're in the
process of rounding up al-Qaida members around the world. There
are al-Qaida organizations in roughly 68 countries. And over 200
have now been apprehended. And every time I talk to a world leader
I urge them to continue finding the al-Qaida representatives and
bring them to justice.
As far as the
use of conventional forces, we've got a clear plan, and it's to
say to the host government that, "You have been given your
chance."
And by the
way, I gave them ample opportunity to turn over al-Qaida. I made
it very clear to them, in no uncertain terms, that in order to avoid
punishment they should turn over the parasites that hide in their
country.
They obviously
refused to do so, and now they're paying a price. We are dismantling
their military, disrupting their communications, severing their
ability to defend themselves, and slowly but surely we're smoking
al-Qaida out of their caves so we can bring them to justice.
People often
ask me, "How long will this last?" This particular battle
front will last as long as it takes to bring al-Qaida to justice.
It may happen tomorrow, it may happen a month from now, it may take
a year or two, but we will prevail.
And what the
American people need to know is what our allies know: I am determined
to stay the course. And we must do so. We must do so.
We must rid
the world of terrorists so our children and grandchildren can grow
up in freedom. It is essential. It is now our time to act, and I'm
proud to lead a country that understands that.
Q: Mr.
President, today Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said that Osama bin
Laden was probably still in Afghanistan. How can the U.S. get him
dead or alive, to use words that you've used recently, if we're
not entirely sure whether he's in the country? And can we win the
war on terrorism if bin Laden is not found?
BUSH:
Ours is a war against terrorism in general. Mr. bin Laden is one
of the worst, but as you may remember, we published the 22 most
wanted. He is one of 22 we're after.
In terms of
Mr. bin Laden himself, we'll get him running. We'll smoke him out
of his cave, and we'll get him eventually.
But success
or failure depends not on bin Laden.
Success or
failure depends upon rooting out terrorism where it may exist all
around the world. He's just one person, a part of a network. And
we're slowly, but surely, with determined fashion, rooting that
network out and bringing it to justice.
We've been
active for a month. I intend to be giving you a briefing for as
long as I am the president.
I understand
this is an unconventional war. It's a different kind of war. It's
not the kind of war we're used to in America. The greatest generation
was used to storming beachheads. Baby boomers such as myself was
used to getting caught in a quagmire of Vietnam where politics made
decisions more than the military sometimes. Generation X was able
to watch technology right in front of their TV screens, you know,
burrow into concrete bunkers in Iraq and blow them up.
This is a different
kind of war that requires a different type of approach and a different
type of mentality.
And so we're
going to slowly but surely tighten the net on terrorists wherever
they live. And it's essential to do so now. It's essential to do
so now.
BUSH:
The actions my government takes in concert with other countries,
the actions we take at home to defend ourselves, will serve as a
go-by for future presidents or future prime ministers in Britain,
for example, or future FBI directors. It is important that we stay
the course, bring these people to justice to show — and show
others how to fight the new wars of the 21st century.
Q: Mr.
President, on that note, we understand you have advisers who are
urging you to go after Iraq, take out Iraq, Syria and so forth.
Do you really think that the American people will tolerate you widening
the war beyond Afghanistan? And I have a follow-up.
BUSH:
Thank you for warning me.
Our focus is
on Afghanistan and the terrorist network hiding in Afghanistan right
now. But as well, we're looking for al-Qaida cells around the world.
If we find an al-Qaida cell operating, we will urge the host country
to bring them to justice. And we're having some progress —
we're making progress.
As I mentioned,
this is a long war against terrorist activity, and the doctrine
I spelled out to the American people in front of Congress said not
only will we seek out and bring to justice individual terrorists
who cause harm to people — to murder people, we will also bring
to justice the host governments that sponsor them, that house them
and feed them.
You mentioned
Iraq. There's no question that the leader of Iraq is an evil man.
After all, he gassed his own people. We know he's been developing
weapons of mass destruction. And I think it's in his advantage to
allow inspectors back in his country to make sure that he's conforming
to the agreement he made after he was soundly trounced in the Gulf
War. And so we're watching him very carefully.
We're watching
him carefully.
Your follow-up,
please?
Q: It's
a little offbeat, but...
BUSH:
OK, well, I expect an offbeat question, frankly.
Q: You've
met twice in the White House since you've been in office with Prime
Minister Sharon, but you have refused to meet with Yasser Arafat.
Now that you envision a Palestinian state, will you see and will
you meet with Arafat? And if so, when?
BUSH:
I want to assure the American people, and particularly our allies
who are interested in our position in the Middle East, that we're
spending a lot of time dealing with the Middle East. I know there
was some concern amongst our allies when the Sept. 11 — right
after the Sept. 11 attack, that we would forgo any responsibility
we have in the Middle East.
Secretary of
State Powell is doing a great job of staying in contact with both
Mr. Arafat and Prime Minister Sharon.
I have met
with Prime Minister Sharon, and I have assured him every time we've
met that he has no better friend than the United States of America.
I also stated
the other day that if we ever get into the Mitchell process, where
we can start discussing a political solution in the Middle East,
that I believe there ought to be a Palestinian state, the boundaries
of which will be negotiated by the parties so long as the Palestinian
state recognizes the right of Israel to exist and will treat Israel
with respect and will be peaceful on her borders.
Obviously,
the events of Sept. 11 have prevented overt diplomacy in the Middle
East — not prevented it; just made it — my calendar's
a little crowded.
On the other
hand, I am very much engaged. I have spoken to Prime Minister Sharon
again. And if I am convinced that a meeting with a particular party
at this point in time will further the process, I will do so. If
it turns out to be an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations
that will become dashed, I won't meet.
I hope progress
is being made. I was pleased to see that Mr. Arafat is trying to
control the radical elements within the Palestinian Authority.
And I think
the world ought to applaud him for that.
I hope he's
taking measures necessary to reduce the violence in the Middle East
so that we can get into the Mitchell process. We're working hard
on the topic. It's a very important part of our foreign policy.
Q: Mr.
President, good evening.
I'd like to
ask you for a more complete portrait of your progress so far.
Can you tell
the American people specifically what is the state of Osama bin
Laden? What is the state of the al-Qaida network? Are they on the
run? To what extent have you been able to disrupt their activities?
Do you believe there are members of those cells still in the United
States capable of carrying out terrorist acts? And again, do you
know whether Osama bin Laden is dead or alive?
BUSH:
Yes. Let me start backwards. I don't know if he is dead or alive.
I want him brought to justice, however.
We are following
every possible lead to make sure that any al-Qaida member that could
be in the United States is brought to justice.
The FBI has
got thousands of agents who are following every hint of a possibility
of an al-Qaida member in our country. We're chasing down the leads
that have been given to us as a result of the bombing. And we're
following other leads.
Let me say
one thing about the FBI that I think people find interesting. All
of us in government are having to adjust our way of thinking about
the new war. The military is going to have to adjust. They recognize
— and Secretary Rumsfeld clearly understands this — that
we need to have a — that we need to rethink how we configure
our military — there's been some stories to that effect —
so that we more effectively respond to asymmetrical responses from
terrorist organizations.
The FBI must
think differently, and Director Mueller is causing them to do so.
The FBI, as you know, spent a lot of manpower and time chasing Cold
— spies. In the post-Cold War era, they were still chasing
spies.
Nothing wrong
with that, except we have a new enemy. And now the FBI is rightly
directing resources toward homeland security. It's been an adjustment,
and I'm proud to report that Director Mueller has adjusted quickly.
I am confident
that the al-Qaida organization is moving around Afghanistan. They
think they might find safe haven? Not if we think they're there.
And we got them on the run.
The other day
we brought to justice a person that killed an American citizen in
1986. He was charged with murder. And I made a point of talking
about that in a press conference because I wanted not only terrorists
to understand, but the American people to understand that we'll
be patient, if need be, to bring them to justice. We'll find them.
This is an
interesting case in Afghanistan, because he thought he had hijacked
a country. He actually did for a while. He forced a country to accept
his radical thoughts, and it became a safe haven for bin Laden and
the al-Qaida organization.
It's no longer
a safe haven, that's for sure, because of our military activity.
Q: Mr.
President, you have tried very had to assure Americans that the
country is safe, and yet your own vice president has spent this
week in a secure location. Can you explain why that is, and also
how long that will last?
BUSH:
Sure. I shook hands with the vice president today in the Oval Office.
I welcomed him out of his secure location.
There are some
times when the vice president and I will be together and some times
we won't be. We take very seriously the notion of the continuity
of government. It's a responsibility we share to make sure that,
under situations such as this, when there are possible threats facing
our government, that we separate ourselves for the sake of continuity
of our government.
And I was pleased
to see him; he's looking swell.
Q: Thank
you, Mr. President.
Sir, some critics
have expressed doubts about trying to get nations that once sponsored
terrorism to now cooperate in the effort against terrorism.
Would you share
your thinking with us, sir? And is it your view that every sinner
should get a chance to redeem himself; that there is, in effect,
an amnesty for nations that once sponsored terrorism if they will
now stop and cooperate with us?
BUSH:
Of course. But our ability to affect host nations harboring terrorists
will depend upon our determination, our will, our patience. We are
sending a signal to the world as we speak that if you harbor a terrorist,
there will be a price to pay.
And the —
there are nations in the world that have — that have expressed
a desire to help. Helen mentioned Syria. The Syrians have talked
to us about how they can help in the war against terrorism. We take
that — we take that seriously and we'll give them an opportunity
to do so.
BUSH:
I'm a performance-oriented person. I believe in results. And if
you want to join the coalition against terror, we'll welcome you
in. I have recognized some countries will do things that, you know,
some — that others won't do.
All I ask is
for results. If you say you want to join us to cut off money, show
us the money. If you say you want to join us militarily like Great
Britain does, do so. And they have done so in a fashion that should
make the people of Great Britain proud.
If you're interested
in sharing intelligence, share intelligence — all ways. I appreciated
diplomatic talk, but I'm more interested in action and results.
I am absolutely
determined — absolutely determined to root terrorism out where
it exists and bring them to justice.
We learned
a good lesson on Sept. 11, that there is evil in this world. I know
there's a lot of children in America wondering what took place.
I think it's essential that all moms and dads and citizens tell
their children we love them and there is love in the world, but
also remind them there are evil people.
And it's my
duty as the president of the United States to use the resources
of this great nation, a freedom-loving nation, a compassionate nation,
a nation that understands values of life, and root terrorism out
where it exists.
And we're going
to give plenty of nations a chance to do so.
Q: After
the FBI warning of today, which was based, it said, on certain information
that there would be retaliatory attacks over the next several days,
given the complete generality of that warning, what does it really
accomplish, aside from scaring people into not doing what you've
urged them to do — getting back to their normal lives? What
should they do with it? And did you personally approve the issuance
of that warning?
BUSH:
I'm aware of the intelligence that caused the warning to be issued,
and it was a general threat on America. And as I mentioned earlier,
had it been a specific threat, we would have contacted those to
whom the threat was directed.
But I think
it is important for the American people to know their government
is on full alert. And that's what that warning showed. We take every
threat seriously. And the American people shouldn't be surprised
that we are issuing alerts. After all, on our TV screens the other
day, we saw the evil one threatening, calling for more destruction
and death in America.
And so we should
take these threats seriously. And we had another threat, a general
threat. Had it been specific, we would have dealt with the specifics
of the threat.
I think the
American people should take comfort in the fact that their government
is doing everything we possibly can do to run down every possible
lead and take threats — and we take threats seriously.
I think the
American people do understand that after Sept. 11, that we're facing
a different world, and they accept that responsibility. They accept
that responsibility.
There is, I
think, some positive news about the American people reacting to
what we're doing. The load factors on airplanes are increasing.
Now, I recognize certain routes have been reduced, but, nevertheless,
people are getting back on airplanes. That's important, that that
be the case.
Hotels are
getting more customers. That's important for the working people
of the country.
We are getting
back to normal. We're doing so with a new sense of awareness. And
the warning that went out today helped to heighten that sense of
awareness.
Q: Mr.
President, you've said on repeated occasions that you're not into
nation-building. Yet it appears in this case, given the politics
of the region, it may play a crucial role in resolving this crisis.
Prime Minister
Blair of Britain has said that the coalition, if the Taliban falls,
will work to create a broadly based government. I'm wondering, sir,
has that become a priority of your administration now to devise
a plan for a new government in Afghanistan? And what part might
King Zahir Shah play in that?
BUSH:
Well, I think it's — first let me reiterate, my focus is bringing
al-Qaida to justice and saying to the host government, "You
had your chance to deliver."
Actually, I
will say it again. "If you cough him up, and his people, today,
that we'll reconsider what we're doing to your country. You still
have a second chance. Just bring him in, and bring his leaders and
lieutenants and other thugs and criminals with him."
BUSH:
I think we did learn a lesson, however, from — and should learn
a lesson from the previous engagement in the Afghan area, that we
should not just simply leave after a military objective has been
achieved.
That's why
— and I sent that signal by announcing that we're going to
spend $330 million of aid to Afghan — the Afghan people. That's
up from roughly $170 million this year.
I personally
think that a — and I appreciate Tony Blair's — and I've
discussed this with him — his vision about Afghan after we're
successful — Afghanistan after we're successful.
One of the
things that we've got make sure of is that all parties — all
interested parties have an opportunity to be a part of a new government,
that we shouldn't play favorites between one group or another within
Afghanistan.
Secondly, we've
got work for a stable Afghanistan so that her neighbors don't fear
terrorist activity again coming out of that country.
Third, it'd
be helpful, of course, to eradicate narcotrafficking out of Afghanistan
as well.
I believe that
the United Nations could provide the framework necessary to help
meet those conditions. It would be a useful function for the United
Nations to take over the so-called nation-building — I would
call it the stabilization of a future government — after our
military mission is complete.
We'll participate.
Other countries will participate. I've talked to many countries
that are interested in making sure that the post-operations Afghanistan
is one that is stable and one that doesn't become yet again a haven
for terrorist criminals.
Q: Mr.
President, I'm sure many Americans are wondering where all of this
will lead. And you've called upon the country to go back to business
and to go back to normal, but you haven't called for any sacrifices
from the American people. And I wonder, do you feel that any will
be needed? Are you planning to call for any? And do you think that
American life will really go back to the way it was on Sept. 10?
BUSH:
Well, you know, I think the American people are sacrificing now.
I think they're
waiting in airport lines longer than they've ever had before.
I think that
— I think there's a certain sacrifice when you lose a piece
of your soul. And Americans — listen, I was standing up there
at the Pentagon today and I saw the tears of the families whose
lives were lost in the Pentagon. And I said in my talk there that,
"America prays with you." I think there's a sacrifice.
There's a certain sense of giving themselves to share their grief
with people that they'll maybe never see in their lives.
So America
is sacrifice. I think the interesting thing that has happened, and
this is so sad an incident, but there are some positive things that
are developing.
One is I believe
that many people are reassessing what's important in life. Moms
and dads are not only reassessing their marriage and the importance
of their marriage, but of the necessity of loving their children
like never before.
I think that's
one of the positives that have come from the evildoers.
The evil ones
have sparked an interesting change in America, I think, a compassion
in our country that is overflowing. I know their intended act was
to destroy us and make us cowards and make us not want to respond,
but quite the opposite has happened. Our nation is united, we are
strong, we're compassionate, neighbors care about neighbors.
The story I
talked about earlier was one that really touched my heart, about
women of cover fearing to leave their homes, and there was such
an outpouring of compassion for people within our own country, a
recognition that the Islamic faith should stand side by side, hand
to hand with the Jewish faith and the Christian faith in our great
land. It is such a wonderful example.
You know, I'm
asked all the time, I'll ask myself a question: How do I respond
to ...
It's an old
trick. How do I ...
How do I respond
when I see that in some Islamic countries there is vitriolic hatred
for America? I'll tell you how I respond: I'm amazed.
I'm amazed
that there's such misunderstanding of what our country is about
that people would hate us. I am — like most Americans, I just
can't believe it because I know how good we are.
And we've got
to do a better job of making our case. We've got to do a better
job of explaining to the people in the Middle East, for example,
that we don't fight a war against Islam or Muslims. We don't hold
any religion accountable. We're fighting evil.
And these murderers
have hijacked a great religion in order to justify their evil deeds.
And we cannot let it stand.
Q: Mr.
President, you have spoken with great pride of this international
coalition. I want to ask you, before the events of Sept. 11, one
of the big questions you faced this fall was would you violate the
Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty and go ahead with the missile defense
plan if Russia did not strike a deal. Will you do that now because
Russia's cooperation is so important?
And separately,
but related, are you disappointed that while there have been some
statements of support from the Muslim world that there have —
and the Arab world, that there have not been more vocal and repeated
statements agreeing with you that this is a war against terrorism,
not Islam?
BUSH:
Let me start with the latter part. I was heartened by the Organization
of Islamic Conference's statement of support for our war against
terror. I think that statement spoke volumes about the attitude
of Muslim nations, and I was pleased to see that support.
Some coalition
members will feel more comfortable doing certain things than other
coalition members will. And my attitude is, and the attitude of
my administration is, we will accept any help that a government's
comfortable in giving. And we should not try to force governments
to do something that they can't do.
Any help is
better than no help. And so I am so appreciative of the help we
are getting in the Middle East.
Somebody asked
me the other day was I pleased with the actions of Saudi Arabia.
I am. I appreciate the actions of that government.
In terms of
missile defense, I can't wait to visit with my friend Vladimir Putin
in Shanghai to reiterate, once again, that the Cold War is over,
it's done with, and that there are new threats that we face.
And no better
example of that new threat than the attack on America on Sept. 11.
And I'm going
to ask my friend to envision a world in which a terrorist thug and-or
a host nation might have the ability to develop — to deliver
a weapon of mass destruction via a — via rocket. And wouldn't
it be in our nations' advantage to be able to shoot it down?
At the very
least, it should be in our nations' advantage to determine whether
we can shoot it down. And we're restricted from doing that because
of an ABM Treaty that was signed during a totally different era.
The case cannot be even — the case is more strong today than
it was on Sept. 10 that the ABM is outmoded, outdated, reflects
a different time.
And I am more
than anxious to continue making my case to them, and we will do
what's right in regards... (inaudible)
Q: ...
does not agree, would you withdraw this year?
BUSH:
Excuse me. I'm having trouble hearing.
Q: If
he does not agree with you, would you withdraw from the ABM Treaty
this year?
BUSH:
I have told Mr. Putin that the ABM Treaty is outdated, antiquated
and useless. And I hope that he will join us in a new strategic
relationship.
One more question,
please. Thank you.
Q: You
talk about the general threat toward Americans. The Internet is
crowded with all sorts of rumor and gossip and, kind of, urban myths.
And people ask us, what is it they're supposed to be on the lookout
for? Other than the 22 most wanted terrorists, what are Americans
supposed to look for and report to the police or to the FBI?
BUSH:
You know, if you find a person that you've never seen before getting
in a crop-duster that doesn't belong to you, report it.
If you see
suspicious people lurking around petrochemical plants, report it
to law enforcement. I mean, people need to be logical.
And listen,
I want to urge my fellow Americans not to use this as an opportunity
to pick on somebody that doesn't look like you or doesn't share
your religion.
The thing that
makes our nation so strong and that will ultimately defeat terrorist
activity is our willingness to tolerate people of different faiths,
different opinions, different colors within the fabric of our society.
And so I would
urge my fellow Americans, obviously, if they see something suspicious,
abnormal, something that looks threatening, report it to local law
enforcement.
Let me conclude...
Let me conclude
by one final statement. Thank you all for coming.
Before we leave,
I want to make a special request to the children of America. I ask
you to join in a special effort to help the children of Afghanistan.
Their country has been through a great deal of war and suffering.
Many children there are starving and are severely malnourished.
One in three Afghan children is an orphan, almost half suffer chronic
malnutrition, and we can and must help them.
We've created
a special relief effort that will be supervised by the Red Cross.
We are asking
every child in America to earn or give a dollar that will be used
to provide food and medical help for the children of Afghanistan.
You can send your dollar in an envelope marked "America's Fund
for Afghan Children" right here to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, Washington, D.C.
This is an
opportunity to help others while teaching our own children a valuable
lesson about service and character. I hope school classes or Boys
and Girl Scout troops, other youth organizations will participate
in any way to raise the money to send to the children. Wash a car.
Do a yard for a neighbor. And I hope the adults will help them as
well.
Ultimately,
one of the best weapons, one of the truest weapons that we have
against terrorism is to show the world the true strength of character
and kindness of the American people.
Americans are
united in this fight against terrorism. We're also united in our
concern for the innocent people of Afghanistan.
Winter is coming,
and by acting today we can help the children survive.
Thank you for
your questions.
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