THE PRESIDENT: Good
evening. Thank you. Good 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 that 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 friends, 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 another -- from military assistance to
intelligence information, to crack down on terrorists' 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 skill 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 Qaeda 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 Governor 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 September 11th, my administration
was planning an initiative called Communities of
Character. It was designed to help parents develop good
character in our children, and to strengthen a spirit of citizenship
and service in our communities. The acts of September 11th
have prompted that initiative to occur on its own, in ways far greater
than I could have ever imagined. We've 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 learn 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'm
honored to lead such a country, and I know we are ready for the
challenges ahead.
And, now, I welcome your questions.
Ron.
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
terrorist 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?
THE
PRESIDENT: 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 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 from 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 and 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 Qaeda 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 manufactures 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 any time 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 --
where we don't conduct business, where 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. 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.
Steve.
Q 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?
THE PRESIDENT: 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've 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 off their money,
because an al Qaeda 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 Qaeda
organization.
We are in the process of rounding up al Qaeda members around the world. There are al Qaeda
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 Qaeda 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 -- and by the way, I gave them ample opportunity
to turn over al Qaeda. 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 Qaeda out of their caves so we can bring them to
justice.
People often ask me, how long will this
last? This particular battlefront will last as long as it
takes to bring al Qaeda 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?
THE PRESIDENT: Ours is a war
against terrorism in general. Mr. bin Laden is a -- is one
of the worst. But as you may remember, we published the 22
Most Wanted; he's 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 routing 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, routing 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'm the President. I understand this is a unconventional
war. It's a different kind of war. It's not the
kind of war that we're used to in America. The Greatest
Generation was used to storming beachheads. Baby boomers
such as myself, were 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. 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.
Helen.
Q Mr. President, on
that note, we understand you have advisors 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. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for
warning me. (Laughter.)
Our focus is on Afghanistan, and the
terrorist network hiding in Afghanistan, right now. But, as
well, we're looking for al Qaeda cells around the world. If
we find an al Qaeda cell operating, we will urge the host country to
bring them to justice. And we're having some progress, we're
making progress.
We -- as I mentioned, Helen, 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 -- (laughter.)
THE
PRESIDENT: Okay. 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
meet with Arafat and, if so, when?
THE PRESIDENT: I want to assure
the American people, in particular 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 September 11th -- right after the September 11th
attack, that we would forego 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've 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 September 11th
have prevented overt diplomacy in the Middle East -- not prevented it,
it just made it -- my calendar is 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,
Helen. It's a very important part of our foreign policy.
David.
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 Qaeda
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?
THE PRESIDENT: Let me start
backwards. I don't know if he's dead or alive. I
want him brought to justice, however. We are following every
possible lead to make sure that any al Qaeda 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 Qaeda in our country. We're chasing down the leads of --
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 can more effectively
respond to assymetrical 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 -- spies in a 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 Qaeda
organization is moving around Afghanistan. They think they
might find safe haven. Not if we think they're
there. And we've 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 understand that we'll be patient,
if need be, to bring them to justice. We'll find them.
And he thought this -- this is an
interesting case in Afghanistan because it's -- 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 Qaeda organization. It's no longer a safe haven, that's
for sure, because our military activity, David.
Yes, Elizabeth.
Q Mr. President,
you've tried very hard to assure Americans that the country is safe,
and yet your own Vice President has spent most of this week in a secure
location. Can you explain why that is, and also how long
that will last?
THE
PRESIDENT: Sure. I shook hands with the Vice
President today in the Oval Office. I welcomed him out of
his secure location. (Laughter.) There are some times when
the Vice President and I will be together, and sometimes 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. (Laughter.)
Jim.
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?
THE PRESIDENT: 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 there are nations in the world 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.
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 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 appreciate diplomatic talk, but I'm more
interested in action and results. I am absolutely determined
-- absolutely determined -- to rout terrorism out where it exists and
bring them to justice. We learned a good lesson on September
the 11th, 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 rout terrorism out where it
exists. And we're going to give plenty of nations a chance
to do so.
Terry.
Q Back to 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?
THE PRESIDENT: 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, Terry, 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're 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 September 11th, 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
heighten that sense of awareness.
John.
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 Zaher Shah play in
that?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think
it's -- John, it's a -- first let me reiterate, my focus is bringing al
Qaeda 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. Bring him in. And bring his leaders and
lieutenants and other thugs and criminals with him.
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 $320 million of aid to 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 we've
got to 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 to work for a stable
Afghanistan so that her neighbors don't fear terrorist activity again
coming out of that country. Third, it would be helpful, of course, to
eradicate narco-trafficking out of Afghanistan, as well.
I believe that the United Nations would --
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 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.
Ken.
Q Mr. President,
I'm sure many Americans are wondering where all 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 September 10th?
THE PRESIDENT: 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 -- 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 they'll never, maybe, ever see in their
lives.
So America is
sacrificing. America -- I think the interesting thing that
has happened, and this is so sad an incident, but there are some
positive things developed -- 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. (Laughter.) How do I respond to --
it's an old trick -- (laughter) -- 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 is such misunderstanding of
what our country is about, that people would hate us. I am,
I am -- like most Americans, I just can't believe
it. Because I know how good we are, and we've go 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.
John.
Q Mr. President,
you have spoken with great pride of this international
coalition. I want to ask you, before the events of September
11th, one of the big questions you faced this fall was, would you
violate the Antiballistic 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 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?
THE PRESIDENT: John, 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 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'll accept any help that a government is
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're 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 September 11th.
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 nation's advantage to
be able to shoot it down? At the very least, it should be in
our nation's 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 September 10th that the ABM is
outmoded, outdated, reflects a different time. And I'm more
than -- I am more than anxious to continue making my case to
them. And we will do what's right in regards --
Q -- not agree,
would you withdraw this year?
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me, I
have trouble hearing John.
Q If he does not
agree with you, would you withdraw from the ABM Treaty this year?
THE PRESIDENT: 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.
Q You talk about
the general threat toward Americans. You know, the Internet
is crowded with all sorts of rumor and gossip and, kind of, urban
myths. And people ask, 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?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Ann, you
know, if you find a person that you've never seen before getting in a
crop duster that doesn't belong to you -- (laughter) -- report
it. (Laughter.) If you see suspicious people
lurking around petrochemical plants, report it to law enforcement.
I mean, people need to be
logical. Now, 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 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 your
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. May God bless America.