For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 17, 2001
Remarks by the President
To Employees at the Pentagon the Pentagon
11:45 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: First, let me
start off by saying to members of the Pentagon press -- the Secretary
told me about how you conducted your business on that fateful
day. I want to congratulate you and thank you. Many of your
members of the Pentagon press went out to help in the evacuation and
the aide of the people who work here in the Pentagon and the country
appreciates that very much. Thank you. Pass the
word onto your colleagues, as well.
Today, we're talking about the
mobilization of Reserve and Guard troops. Such a
mobilization is a strong symbol of this nation's resolve. And I want
to thank the Secretary and David and members of our team for giving me
a complete and full briefing.
I fully understand that a mobilization
affects the lives of thousands of Americans. I mean, after
all, we're talking about somebody's mom or somebody's dad, somebody's
employee, somebody's friend or somebody's neighbor. But the
world will see that the strength of this nation is found in the
character and dedication and courage of everyday citizens.
We are -- last week I proclaimed a
national emergency and authorized the Secretary of Defense and
Secretary of Transportation to call up the Ready Reserve Units of the
Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to active duty.
We are in the process of calling up as
many as 35,000 such troops. They will serve in a number of essential
roles. They will help maintain our air defenses so they can
stay on high alert. They will check shipping in
ports. They will help our military with airlift and
logistics. They will provide military
police. They will participate in engineering
projects. They will help gather intelligence. And
they will perform work as chaplains.
I know this means a lot of sacrifice for
those who will be called up, and their families. But you
understand -- the troops who will be called up understand better than
most that freedom has a cost, and that we're willing to bear that
cost. An act of war has been committed on this country, and
the dedication of our Guardsmen and Reservists will serve not only as a
strong symbol to all that we're prepared to take the necessary actions,
but will be a part of helping define the spirit and courage of
America. And I'm grateful.
I want to thank the employers who
understand that there is more to corporate life than just profit and
loss, that the employee who is getting ready to serve the country is an
essential part of winning the -- of defeating terrorism, evil-doers so
emboldened that they feel like they could attack the great bastion of
freedom.
Before I answer a few questions, I also
want to wish the American Jewish community and Jews around the world a
healthy and happy new year. As the high holy days begin, I know you'll
find strength and determination during this time of reflection.
I'll be glad to answer a few
questions. Ron.
Q Mr. President,
does the cost of freedom today in this war we're about to wage include
the loss of civilian and military casualties? And can you
keep us out of a depression/recession, during this crisis?
THE PRESIDENT: The only thing I
can do is to reflect upon the spirit of the U.S. military, and the U.S.
military is ready to defend freedom at any cost. The men and
women who wear our uniforms, both active duty and reservists and
National Guard people are ready to respond to the call of the
Commander-in-Chief and the Secretary of Defense. There's no
question in my mind that the resolve of our military has never been
stronger. And we will win the war, and there will be
costs. But the military folks understand that, and so do I,
and so does the Secretary of Defense.
In terms of our economy, I've got great
faith in the economy. I understand it's tough right
now. Transportation business is hurting. Obviously, the
market was correcting prior to this crisis. But the
underpinnings for economic growth are there. We're the
greatest entrepreneurial society in the world. We've got the
best farmers and ranchers. We've got a strong manufacturing
base.
But there's a challenge ahead of us, and
I'm confident that our business community will rise to the
challenge. Secondly, I'm confident we can work with
Congress to come up with an economic stimulus package, if need be, that
will send a clear signal to the risk-takers and capital formatters of
our country that the government's going to act, too.
Thirdly, we've got a tax cut that's still
working its way through the economy, as well as a reconstruction plan
for New York and the area. After all, the Congress, in a
bipartisan fashion, overwhelmingly passed a supplemental of billions of
dollars which will help not only get New York City up and running
again, but will help provide some economic stimulus.
Q Mr. President, in
the airline industry, in particular, is in trouble, and looking for
some relief. I know that Secretary Mineta was supposed to
meet with representatives from the industry this week. As
you look down the road does he think and expect some --
THE PRESIDENT: Stretch, I think
these are the kinds of subjects that we will talk with the Secretary of
Transportation, with the airline industry and, as importantly, with
members of Congress. Congress must be involved with --
obviously, with these deliberations. And I look forward to
-- I've already encouraged my administration to reach out to members of
Congress. And we will continue doing so.
Q Mr. President,
the Taliban apparently has refused to hand over Osama bin Laden to the
Pakistanis. Does this mean that the U.S. will be prepared to
move militarily?
THE PRESIDENT: Patsy, I want to
make it clear to the American people that this administration will not
talk about any plans we may or may not have. We will not
jeopardize in any way, shape or form, anybody who wears the uniform of
the United States.
All I can tell you is that Osama bin Laden
is a prime suspect, and the people who house him, encourage him,
provide food, comfort or money are on notice. Last Tuesday
-- last week, I spoke clearly about our nation's policy. And
that is, we're going to find those who -- those evil-doers, those
barbaric people who attacked our country and we're going to hold them
accountable, and we're going to hold the people who house them
accountable; the people who think they can provide them safe havens
will be held accountable; the people who feed them will be held
accountable.
And the Taliban must take my statement
seriously.
Yes, ma'am.
Q Mr. President, is
it the case, based on what you've said now, that war is inevitable, and
can you tell me the American people what that war is going to look
like?
THE PRESIDENT: I believe, I
know that an act of war was declared against America. But
this will be a different type of war than we're used
to. This is -- in the past there have been beaches to storm
and islands to conquer. We've been able to watch on our
television screens sophisticated weaponry find a building; and we've
seen dramatic reports from the front where Pulitzer Prize-to-be winning
reporters stood up and declared, the United States is attacked, and all
that.
There may be some of that, who
knows. But I know that this is a different type of enemy
than we're used to. It's an enemy that likes to hide and
burrow in, and their network is extensive. There are no
rules. It's barbaric behavior. They slit throats of women
on airplanes in order to achieve an objective that is beyond
comprehension. And they like to hit, and then they like to
hide out.
But we're going to smoke them
out. And we're adjusting our thinking to the new type of
enemy. These are terrorists who have no
borders. And, by the way, it's important for the world to
understand that we know in America that more than just Americans
suffered loss of life in the World Trade Center. People from
all kinds of nationalities lost -- that's why the world is rallying to
our call to defeat terrorism.
Many world leaders understand that that
could have easily -- that the attack could have as easily happened on
their land. And they also understand that this enemy knows
no border. But they know what I know, that when we start
putting the heat on those who house them, they will get them
running. And once we get them running we have got a good
chance of getting them. And that's exactly what our intent
is.
The focus right now is on Osama bin Laden,
no question about it. He's the prime suspect, and his
organization. But there are other terrorists in the
world. There are people who hate freedom. This is
a fight for freedom. This is a fight to say to the
freedom-loving people of the world: we will not allow ourselves to be
terrorized by somebody who thinks they can hit and hide in some cave
somewhere.
It's going to require a new thought
process. And I'm proud to report our military, led by the
Secretary of Defense, understands that; understands it's a new type of
war, it's going to take a long time to win this war. The
American people are going to have to be more patient than ever with the
efforts of -- our combined efforts, not just ourselves, but the efforts
of our allies, to get them running and find them and to hunt them
down.
But as the Vice President said, you know,
Osama bin Laden is just one person. He is representative of
networks of people who absolutely have made their cause to defeat the
freedoms that we take -- that we understand. And we will not allow
them to do so.
Q Do you want bin
Laden dead?
THE PRESIDENT: I want
justice. There's an old poster out west, as I recall, that
said, "Wanted: Dead or Alive."
Q Do you see this
being long-term? You were saying it's long-term, do you see
an end, at all?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that
this is a long-term battle, war. There will be
battles. But this is long-term. After all, our
mission is not just Osama bin Laden, the al
Qaeda organization. Our mission is to battle
terrorism and to join with freedom loving people.
We are putting together a coalition that
is a coalition dedicated to declaring to the world we will do what it
takes to find the terrorists, to rout them out and to hold them
accountable. And the United States is proud to lead the
coalition.
Q Are you saying
you want him dead or alive, sir? Can I interpret --
THE PRESIDENT: I just remember,
all I'm doing is remembering when I was a kid I remember that they used
to put out there in the old west, a wanted poster. It
said: "Wanted, Dead or Alive." All I want and
America wants him brought to justice. That's what we want.
END
12:00 P.M. EDT
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