October 7, 2001

Statement by the President The Treaty Room

1:00 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:Good afternoon.On my orders, the United States military hasbegun strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of theTaliban regime in Afghanistan.These carefully targeted actions are designed todisrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations, and to attack themilitary capability of the Taliban regime.

We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great Britain. Other closefriends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have pledged forces as theoperation unfolds.More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe andacross Asia have granted air transit or landing rights.Many more have sharedintelligence.We are supported by the collective will of the world.

More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specificdemands:Close terrorist training camps; hand over leaders of the al Qaeda network;and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens, unjustly detained in yourcountry.None of these demands were met.And now the Taliban will pay a price.Bydestroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult for theterror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans.

Initially, the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hidingplaces.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 ofAmerica and our allies.As we strike military targets, we'll also drop food, medicineand 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 thefriends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith.The United Statesof America is an enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals whoprofane a great religion by committing murder in its name.

This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in awar that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing offinancial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38countries.Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by thepatient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges withdetermination and will and purpose.

Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader.Every nation has achoice to make.In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any governmentsponsors the outlaws and killers of innocents, they have become outlaws andmurderers, 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 whereAmerican Presidents have worked for peace. We're a peaceful nation.Yet, as wehave learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world ofsudden terror.In the face of today's new threat, the only way to pursue peace is topursue those who threaten it.

We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it.The name of today's militaryoperation is Enduring Freedom.We defend not only our precious freedoms, but alsothe 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 strongprecautions.All law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working aggressivelyaround America, around the world and around the clock. At my request, manygovernors have activated the National Guard to strengthen airport security.We havecalled up Reserves to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection ofour homeland.

In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths -- patience with thelong waits that will result from tighter security; patience and understanding that it willtake 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 nowdefend us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families.ACommander-in-Chief sends America's sons and daughters into a battle in a foreignland only after the greatest care and a lot of prayer. We ask a lot of those who wearour uniform.We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances, to riskinjury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.They arededicated, they are honorable; they represent the best of our country.And we aregrateful.

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; yourobjectives are clear; your goal is just.You have my full confidence, and you will haveevery tool you need to carry out your duty.

I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the state of America inthese difficult times -- a letter from a 4th-grade girl, with a father in the military:"Asmuch 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 insacrifice.

The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waver; we will not tire; we willnot falter; and we will not fail.Peace and freedom will prevail.

Thank you.May God continue to bless America.