10 January 2002

Bush Says U.S. Will Hunt Down Terrorists

President Bush said the war against terror is entering a "dangerous phase" involving hunting down terrorists who have gone into hiding.

Speaking at a political fundraiser for his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, in Washington January 9, the president said the United States will be patient and do whatever it takes to bring terrorists to justice.

President Bush praised the U.S. military for its role in liberating Afghanistan from "one of the most repressive, evil regimes history has ever known."

He said his greatest satisfaction in the liberation of Afghanistan is seeing the joy on the faces of Afghan women, who suffered under the brutality and backwardness of the Taliban.

Following is an excerpt from Bush's speech with his remarks about Afghanistan:

I was reminded about how serious these times are today when we lost a KC-135 refueler in Afghanistan. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the soldiers. But I want to remind them that the cause that we are now engaged in is just and noble. The cause is freedom. And this nation -- (applause.) And this nation will not rest until we've achieved our objectives. (Applause.)

I have explained to the American people that we must be patient -- and I'm proud to report the Americans are patient; that we're entering into a dangerous phase in our war against terror; that we've achieved a lot of objectives, thanks to a fabulous military; that we have routed out the government that was the host to the parasitical al Qaeda. And in so doing, this great nation liberated women and children from one of the most repressive, evil regimes history has ever known. (Applause.)

My favorite scenes of this conflict have been the joy on the faces of Afghan women, as our soldiers and our allies have swept into these villages where women were so incredibly oppressed. It's just hard for our country to imagine the brutality and the backwardness of the Taliban. They are no longer in power, thanks to the great United States of America. (Applause.)

Those who struck America think they can run and hide. It's interesting -- I find it amazing that the al Qaeda leaders are more than willing to convince some of their brethren to commit suicide; yet, they, themselves hide in caves. (Laughter.) And that's why this phase of the war is dangerous -- because we're going to hunt them down. They think they can hide, but this patient nation will do whatever it takes to bring them to justice. And when we do, the world will be better for it. (Applause.)

We have got a job to do here at home, and I appreciate working with Governor Bush on protecting our homeland. We've got a job to make sure that we take every threat seriously. And make no mistake about it, the enemy still wants to harm America. But what they don't realize is that this nation is alert and we're ready. And anytime we find any hint of anybody who will try to harm the innocents of our country, we will give them the chance to share information with us. (Laughter.) We will bring them to justice, as well.

But the best homeland defense, of course, is to be successful overseas. We're in the first theater. But wherever terror exists, this great nation will hunt it down. It's the calling of our time. (Applause.)