Prime Minister Blair on Anti-Terrorist Operations in Afghanistan

Speaking at a news conference on October 7, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States were an attack on the freedom, way of life and civilized values of people all over the world. "We have now no choice," he said. "So we will act. And our determination in acting is total. We will not let up or rest until our objectives are met in full."

Blair said "It angers me, as it angers the vast majority of Muslims, to hear bin Laden and his associates described as Islamic terrorists. They are terrorists, pure and simple."

Following are excepts from the Blair briefing:

(begin excerpts)

There is no doubt in my mind that these attacks were carried out by the Al Qaeda network masterminded by Osama bin Laden.

Equally, it is clear that his network is harbored and supported by the Taliban regime inside Afghanistan.

It is more than two weeks since an ultimatum was delivered to the Taliban to yield up terrorists or face the consequences. They were given the choice of siding with justice or siding with terror, and they chose to side with terror.

There are three parts, all equal important, to the operation in which we're engaged: military, diplomatic and humanitarian.

The military action we are taking will be targeted against places we know to be involved in the Al Qaeda network of terror, or against the military apparatus of the Taliban. This military plan has been put together mindful of our determination to do all we humanly can to avoid civilian casualties.

We have set the objectives to eradicate Osama bin Laden's network of terror and to take action against the Taliban regime that is sponsoring him.

On the diplomatic and political front, I cannot recall a situation that has commanded so quickly such a powerful coalition of support, and not just from those countries directly involved in military action but for many others in all parts of the world.

On the humanitarian front, we are assembling a coalition of support for refugees in and outside Afghanistan, which is as vital as the military coalition.

We know the Al Qaeda network threatened Europe including Britain, and indeed any nation throughout the world that does not share their fanatical views. So we have a direct interest in acting in our own self-defense to protect British lives.

I wish to say finally, as I've said many times before, that this is not a war with Islam. It angers me, as it angers the vast majority of Muslims, to hear bin Laden and his associates described as Islamic terrorists. They are terrorists, pure and simple.

Islam is a peaceful and tolerant religion. And the acts of these people are wholly contrary to the teachings of the Koran.

We are a peaceful people. But we know that sometimes, to safeguard peace, we have to fight. Britain has learnt that lesson many times before in our history.

We only do it if the cause is just. But this cause is just. The murder of almost 7,000 innocent people in America was an attack on our freedom, our way of life, an attack on civilized values the world over.

We have now no choice. So we will act. And our determination in acting is total. We will not let up or rest until our objectives are met in full.

(end excerpts)