Bush: No distinction between attackers and those who harbor them
"The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law-enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice," Bush said in a nationally televised address less than 12 hours after what is being called the worst act of terrorism in America's history. "We will make no distinction between those who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
At about 9 a.m. today, suspected terrorists crashed two hijacked commercial airliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, while a third collapsed a portion of the Pentagon shortly after. No casualty figures are yet available, but officials have said they expect them to be very high.
"Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror," Bush said, in describing the acts. But, he said, the attackers failed to "frighten our nation into chaos and retreat."
"Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great nation," Bush said. "These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
The president said America was targeted for attack because "we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining." He reassured the country that the U.S. military is strong and prepared.
"America has stood down enemies before and we will do so this time," Bush said. "None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."
(FROM AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE)
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