[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEMBERS TAKE TRIP ABROAD REGARDING THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM

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                          HON. BRIAN D. KERNS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. KERNS. Mr. Speaker, throughout the past three weeks we have seen 
a tremendous outpouring of patriotism and American pride from coast to 
coast. After having the opportunity to spend the past few days 
traveling abroad through Russia, Turkey, and Rome and meeting with 
leaders from each of these countries--I am proud to return home to the 
USA with the rest of my colleagues with the understanding that we are 
not in this fight against terrorism alone. My deepest appreciation goes 
to Chairman Weldon, and Ranking Member Ortiz for their leadership in 
putting together a thorough and productive trip.
  Having completed our trip we came to some important conclusions.
  First of all, these nations and many others are united like never 
before. They stand firm with us in our fight against terrorism, and 
will continue to support the efforts of President Bush and our nation 
to root out this evil.
  Second, justice will be served to Osama Bin Laden and his radical 
followers. We must recognize, while this may take some time--we will 
persevere. Osama Bin Laden and his network is only a small part of the 
cancer of terrorism that is spreading throughout our world. This evil 
cancer must and will be eradicated.
  While meeting with the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir 
Shah, the King told us that he supports the United States in the war 
against terrorism and that he would back efforts to bring Bin Laden to 
justice and end the radical Taliban control of Afghanistan and support 
free democratic elections in his country.
  In our conversation with the former Afghan King, and the field 
commanders for Afghanistan's United Front which is formerly known as 
the Northern Alliance, I found it fascinating that in fighting this war 
we must also fight the continuous war against drugs--Afghanistan is 
currently one of the leading producers of opium, and the majority of 
Bin Laden and other terrorist activities are funded through this drug 
trafficking. We must cut off their financial base at the root. That 
means putting an end to their drug trade.
  I believe that our meetings were successful and established the 
important ground work in this fight against evil. As President Bush has 
envisioned, we must continue to build effective coalitions to win this 
war against terrorism.

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