By David Espo
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – President Bush summoned all nations to wage war on terrorism Thursday night and vowed “justice will be done” against those who killed thousands in last week’s attacks. With warplanes and ships on the move, he urged an anxious America to be calm, “even in the face of a continuing threat.”
In a speech to Congress, Bush issued a series of demands, not open to negotiation or discussion, to Afghanistan’s rulers to turn over Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the attacks, and his al Qaida network.
“The Taliban must act and act immediately. They will hand over the terrorists, or they will share in their fate,” he said.
Bush spoke as American military personnel began moving out from bases around the country, fully aware they could soon be in harm’s way. KC-135 air tanker crews from Washington state, fighter pilots and jets from Colorado, Marines from North Carolina – all were called to duty.
This war against elusive terrorists, the president said, “will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.”
He said it would be a war unlike any in history. “It may include dramatic strikes, visible on television, and covert operations, secret even in success.”
Still, he assured the nation, “We’ll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass.”
Nine days after the suicide attacks that leveled the once-soaring World Trade Center and wounded the mighty Pentagon, Bush spoke before a joint session of Congress and a nationwide television audience counted in the millions.
“Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom,” he said “Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution.” He pledged to use “every necessary weapon of war” and more to prevail.
Security concerns were high enough to keep Vice President Dick Cheney away from the Capitol. The 35-minute speech won robust bipartisan applause 30 times. And then, in a vivid display of national unity, the president stepped off the rostrum to embraces from the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate.
Compounding the nation’s woes were concerns about the economy, and Bush pledged, without additional explanation, steps to “put our people back to work.”
With planes flying far below capacity and public confidence shaken, lawmakers and the administration labored through the day on economic relief for the airline industry, coupled with measures to limit their liability from lawsuits. House Speaker Dennis Hastert said he hoped for legislation by today, and Bush said he and lawmakers would find a way to stabilize a suddenly vulnerable industry.
NW lawmakers react
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.: “He did a tremendous job outlining for the American people what his vision is of how we tackle this very tough problem.” Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash.: “The president showed great leadership. … We must turn our anger to sustained will as we engage in a long, tough war. … We must now commit to this fight against terrorism so that we do not leave that threat behind for our children.” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.: “I support the president in his mission to combat terrorism. We must use the right military resources at the right time, with the right approach. The president has thus far shown patience and strength.”
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Bush’s speech marked an occasion unlike any other in recent history. Security, normally high for a presidential address, was tightened considerably, as bomb-sniffing dogs patrolled the Capitol and barricades were erected on the streets outside.
“Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution,” he said. “Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.”
To other nations around the world, he said, “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded … as a hostile regime.”
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Bush sought to reassure Americans at the same time he announced measures to improve defenses against further terrorist attacks. He announced the creation of a Cabinet-level homeland defense office, charged with coordinating efforts to prevent terrorism, and named Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to run it.
“We will rally the world to this cause, by our efforts and by our courage,” Bush said. “We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail.”
He called on Americans to recognize that this would be a war against terrorist extremists, not the Muslim faith.
Bush, who has met with nearly a dozen foreign leaders in the past nine days to build an international coalition, said he was asking for the help of “police forces, intelligence services and banking systems around the world.”
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Congressional Democrats passed up their opportunity to offer a televised response to Bush’s speech. Instead, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., spoke, one after the other, from the same microphone.
“We are resolved to work together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” Daschle said.
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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