Bush says bin Laden’s whereabouts are unknown

By Ron Fournier

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – President Bush said today the United States does not know the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden but vowed that the terrorist mastermind will be found, even if he “tried to slither out” of Afghanistan. The president said America is more secure from terrorism than before Sept. 11.

“Is it still totally safe? No. And that’s why my main job, my main worry, is to prevent another attack,” Bush said.

Calling reporters to the Oval Office for an end-of-the-year session, Bush discussed the war in Afghanistan, the sagging U.S. economy, the mixed success of his domestic agenda and the fate of an American who fought alongside the Taliban.

He dismissed suggestions that cease-fire talks earlier this month had allowed bin Laden to slip out of Afghanistan.

“I don’t know where he is. I haven’t heard much from him recently, which means he could be in a cave that doesn’t have an opening to it anymore. Or he could be in a cave where he could get out. Or he could have tried to slither out to neighboring Pakistan,” Bush said.

“But I can tell you this, we’re going to find him,” he added.

Bush said the United States and its allies will continue to develop intelligence from the hundreds of captured al-Qaida members and use the information to find bin Laden and his associates.

“If they think they can hide from the United States, they’re making a terrible mistake – again,” Bush said.

He has ordered the National Security Council to devise plans for every captured Taliban or al-Qaida fighter, including American John Walker Lindh, who fought for the Taliban regime, the president said.

Bush has not decided what to do about Lindh, but said he has not ruled out treason charges.

“Walker himself is being treated on a ship of ours. I suspect he’s finding his berth a little better than it was when he was placed in the prison in Afghanistan,” Bush said.

He warned U.S. allies and other nations anew that they will be expected to help round up terrorists as the United States moves its campaign beyond Afghanistan.

“Thank you for your condolences, I appreciate your flowers now arrest somebody,” Bush said bluntly.

He said the next phase of the campaign may include covert acts that Americans don’t notice.

Bush had reporters into the Oval Office to unveil a new cream-colored rug designed, in part, by his wife, Laura. He also wanted to look back on his first year in office, calling it a success because of the passage of an education bill, tax cuts and other legislation.

He said the failure to pass an economic revival package was “a big disappointment” but his criticism of Democratic leaders in the Senate was restrained.

“A lot of people are going to ask why didn’t we get something done?” he said.

Bush became a bit emotional when asked whether the country was any safer now than before the attacks on Washington, New York and Pennsylvania.

“The country is more secure today and less vulnerable to attacks than before Sept. 11 because the enemy has made it clear that we are a target and we’ve responded,” Bush said.

He said the federal agencies now share information better and are constantly on alert.