    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 11, 2001]
    [Pages 1218-1228]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference
    October 11, 2001

        The President. Good evening. Thank you. Good evening. I would like
    to report to the American people on the state of our war against terror,
    and then I'll be happy to take questions from the White House press
    corps.

    [[Page 1219]]

        One month ago today, innocent citizens from more than 80 nations
    were attacked and killed, without warning or provocation, in an act that
    horrified not only every American but every person of every faith and
    every nation that values human life.
        The attack took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the
    heart and soul of the civilized world. And the world has come together
    to fight a new and different war, the first, and we hope the only one,
    of the 21st century, a war against all those who seek to export terror
    and a war against those governments that support or shelter them.
        We've accomplished a great deal in one month. Our staunch friends,
    Great Britain, our neighbors Canada and Mexico, our NATO Allies, our
    allies in Asia, Russia, and nations from every continent on the Earth
    have offered help of one kind or another, from military assistance to
    intelligence information, to crack down on terrorists' financial
    networks. This week 56 Islamic nations issued a statement strongly
    condemning the savage acts of terror and emphasizing that those acts
    contradict the peaceful teachings of Islam. All is strong and united on
    the diplomatic front.
        The men and women of the United States military are doing their duty
    with skill and success. We have ruined terrorist training camps,
    disrupted their communications, weakened the Taliban military, and
    destroyed most of their air defenses. We're mounting a sustained
    campaign to drive the terrorists out of their hidden caves and to bring
    them to justice. All missions are being executed according to plan on
    the military front.
        At the same time, we are showing the compassion of America by
    delivering food and medicine to the Afghan people, who are, themselves,
    the victims of a repressive regime.
        On the law enforcement front, terrorists are being swept up in an
    international dragnet. Several hundred have been arrested. Thousands of
    FBI agents are on the trail of other suspects here and abroad. Working
    with countries around the world, we have frozen more than $24 million in
    Al Qaida or Taliban assets.
        We are aggressively pursuing the agents of terror around the world,
    and we are aggressively strengthening our protections here at home. This
    week we established America's new Office of Homeland Security, directed
    by former Governor Tom Ridge. Americans tonight
    can know that while the threat is ongoing, we are taking every possible
    step to protect our country from danger.
        Your Government is doing everything we can to recover from these
    attacks and to try to prevent others. We're acting to make planes and
    airports safer, rebuild New York and the Pentagon. We must act to
    stimulate a slow economy, to help laid-off workers, and we must fund our
    military.
        This is a time of testing--this time of testing has revealed the
    true character of the American people. We're angry at the evil that was
    done to us, yet patient and just in our response.
        Before September 11th, my administration was planning an initiative
    called Communities of Character. It was designed to help parents develop
    good character in our children and to strengthen a spirit of citizenship
    and service in our communities. The acts of September 11th have prompted
    that initiative to occur on its own, in ways far greater than I could
    have ever imagined. We've shown great love for our country and great
    tolerance and respect for all our countrymen.
        I was struck by this, that in many cities, when Christian and Jewish
    women learned that Muslim women, women of cover, were afraid of going
    out of their homes alone, that they went shopping with them, that they
    showed true friendship and support, an act that shows the world the true
    nature of America.
        Our war on terrorism has nothing to do with differences in faith. It
    has everything

    [[Page 1220]]

    to do with people of all faiths coming together to condemn hate and evil
    and murder and prejudice.
        One month after great suffering and sorrow, America is strong and
    determined and generous. I'm honored to lead such a country, and I know
    we are ready for the challenges ahead.
        And now I welcome your questions.
        Ron [Ron Fournier, Associated Press].

    FBI Warning/Domestic Response

        Q. Thank you, sir. You said that the threat is ongoing, and, indeed,
    the deadly virus of anthrax was found in three Florida people this week.
    Usama bin Laden's spokesman says storms of planes are yet to be
    hijacked. Your FBI warned just today that terrorist attacks could be
    happening again in the next couple of days.
        If the FBI knows of a credible threat, can you assure the public
    that you would take the precaution of locking down any system involved,
    whether it's buildings, airports, water systems, to prevent more deaths?
    And most importantly, is there anything you can say to Americans who
    feel helpless to protect themselves and their families from the next
    wave of attacks, if there are more to come? What can people do to
    protect themselves?
        The President. Sure. Today the Justice Department did issue a
    blanket alert. It was in recognition of a general threat we received.
    This is not the first time the Justice Department have acted like this.
    I hope it's the last, but given the attitude of the evildoers, it may
    not be.
        I have urged our fellow Americans to go about their lives, to fly on
    airplanes, to travel, to go to work. But I also want to encourage them
    by telling them that our Government is on full alert. And that--the
    alert put out today from the Justice Department was such an action.
        Now, if we receive specific intelligence, where we--a credible
    threat that targets a specific building or city or facility, I can
    assure you our Government will do everything possible to protect the
    citizens around and in or near that facility.
        And let me give you one example of a specific threat we received.
    You may remember recently there was a lot of discussion about crop
    dusters. We received knowledge that perhaps an Al Qaida operative was
    prepared to use a crop duster to spray a biological weapon or a chemical
    weapon on American people. And so we responded. We contacted every crop-
    dust location, airports from which crop dusters leave. We notified crop
    duster manufacturers to a potential threat. We knew full well that in
    order for a crop duster to become a weapon of mass destruction would
    require a retrofitting, and so we talked to machine shops around where
    crop dusters are located. We took strong and appropriate action. And we
    will do so any time we receive a credible threat.
        Now, the American people have got to go about their business. We
    cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our
    Nation to the point where we don't--where we don't conduct business,
    where people don't shop. That's their intention. Their intention was not
    only to kill and maim and destroy. Their intention was to frighten to
    the point where our Nation would not act. Their intention was to so
    frighten our Government that we wouldn't seek justice, that somehow we
    would cower in the face of their threats and not respond, abroad or at
    home.
        We're both responding abroad and at home. The American people,
    obviously, if they see something that is suspicious, something out of
    the norm that looks suspicious, they ought to notify local law
    authorities. But in the meantime, they ought to take comfort in knowing
    our Government is doing everything we possibly can.
        We've got a Homeland Security Office now running, as I mentioned,
    headed by Tom Ridge. We're sharing intelligence
    with our friends in countries from overseas. We follow every lead. And
    information-sharing between the CIA and the FBI is seamless,

    [[Page 1221]]

    so that the reaction to any threat is real-time. But the truth of the
    matter is, in order to fully defend America, we must defeat the
    evildoers where they hide. We must round them up, and we must bring them
    to justice. And that's exactly what we're doing in Afghanistan, the
    first battle in the war of the 21st century.
        Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    Action Against Al Qaida and the Taliban

        Q. Thank you. You've been careful to avoid saying how long the
    military strikes in Afghanistan might take place. But can you promise to
    say how long American--can you avoid being drawn into a Vietnam-like
    quagmire in Afghanistan?
        The President. We learned some very important lessons in Vietnam.
    Perhaps the most important lesson that I learned is that you cannot
    fight a guerrilla war with conventional forces. That's why I've
    explained to the American people that we're engaged in a different type
    of war, one obviously that will use conventional forces but one in which
    we've got to fight on all fronts.
        I remember saying to you all that the first shot in the war was when
    we started cutting off their money, because an Al Qaida organization
    can't function without money. And we're continuing our efforts to reach
    out to willing nations to disrupt and seize assets of the Al Qaida
    organization.
        We are in the process of rounding up Al Qaida members around the
    world. There are Al Qaida organizations in, roughly, 68 countries. And
    over 200 have now been apprehended. And every time I talk to a world
    leader, I urge them to continue finding the Al Qaida representatives and
    bring them to justice.
        As far as the use of conventional forces, we've got a clear plan,
    and it's to say to the host government that you have been given your
    chance--and by the way, I gave them ample opportunity to turn over Al
    Qaida. I made it very clear to them, in no uncertain terms, that in
    order to avoid punishment, they should turn over the parasites that hide
    in their country. They obviously refused to do so, and now they're
    paying a price. We are dismantling their military, disrupting their
    communications, severing their ability to defend themselves. And slowly
    but surely, we're smoking Al Qaida out of their caves so we can bring
    them to justice.
        People often ask me, how long will this last? This particular
    battlefront will last as long as it takes to bring Al Qaida to justice.
    It may happen tomorrow; it may happen a month from now; it may take a
    year or 2. But we will prevail. And what the American people need to
    know is what our allies know: I am determined to stay the course. And we
    must do so. We must do so. We must rid the world of terrorists so our
    children and grandchildren can grow up in freedom. It is essential. It
    is now our time to act, and I'm proud to lead a country that understands
    that.

    Nature and Scope of Antiterrorist Action

        Q. Mr. President, today Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said that Usama
    bin Laden was probably still in Afghanistan. How can the U.S. get him,
    dead or alive, to use words that you've used recently, if we're not
    entirely sure whether he's in the country? And can we win the war on
    terrorism if bin Laden is not found?
        The President. Ours is a war against terrorism in general. Mr. bin
    Laden is a--is one of the worst. But as you
    may remember, we published the 22 Most Wanted. He's one of 22 we're
    after. In terms of Mr. bin Laden himself, we'll get him running. We'll
    smoke him out of his cave, and we'll get him eventually.
        But success or failure depends not on bin Laden; success or failure depends upon routing out terrorism
    where it may exist all around the world. He's just one person, a part of
    a network, and we're slowly, but surely, with determined fashion,
    routing that network out and bringing it to justice.

    [[Page 1222]]

        We've been active for a month. I intend to be giving you a briefing
    for as long as I'm the President. I understand this is a unconventional
    war. It's a different kind of war. It's not the kind of war that we're
    used to in America. The greatest generation was used to storming
    beachheads; baby boomers, such as myself, were used to getting caught in
    a quagmire of Vietnam where politics made decisions more than the
    military sometimes; generation X was able to watch technology right in
    front of their TV screens--you know, burrow into concrete bunkers in
    Iraq and blow them up. This is a different kind of war that requires a
    different type of approach and a different type of mentality.
        And so we're going to slowly but surely tighten the net on
    terrorists, wherever they live. And it's essential to do so now--it's
    essential to do so now. The actions my Government takes, in concert with
    other countries, the actions we take at home to defend ourselves will
    serve as a go-by for future Presidents, or future Prime Ministers in
    Britain, for example, or future FBI Directors. It is important that we
    stay the course, bring these people to justice, to show--and show others
    how to fight the new wars of the 21st century.
        Helen [Helen Thomas, Hearst Newspapers].
        Q. Mr. President, on that note, we understand you have advisers who
    are urging you to go after Iraq, take out Iraq, Syria, and so forth. Do
    you really think that the American people will tolerate you widening the
    war beyond Afghanistan? And I have a followup. [Laughter]
        The President. Thank you for warning me. [Laughter]
        Our focus is on Afghanistan and the terrorist network hiding in
    Afghanistan, right now. But as well, we're looking for Al Qaida cells
    around the world. If we find an Al Qaida cell operating, we will urge
    the host country to bring them to justice, and we're having some
    progress--we're making progress.
        As I mentioned, Helen, this is a long war against terrorist
    activity. And the doctrine I spelled out to the American people in front
    of Congress said not only will we seek out and bring to justice
    individual terrorists who cause harm to people, to murder people; we
    will also bring to justice the host governments that sponsor them, that
    house them and feed them.
        You mentioned Iraq. There's no question that the leader of
    Iraq is an evil man. After all, he gassed his
    own people. We know he's been developing weapons of mass destruction.
    And I think it's in his advantage to allow inspectors back in his
    country to make sure that he's conforming to the agreement he made,
    after he was soundly trounced in the Gulf war. And so we're watching him
    very carefully. We're watching him carefully.
        Your followup, please.

    Situation in the Middle East

        Q. It's a little offbeat, but--[laughter]----
        The President. Okay. Well, I expect an offbeat question, frankly.
        Q. ----you've met twice in the White House, since you've been in
    office, with Prime Minister Sharon. But you have refused to meet with
    Yasser Arafat. Now that you envision a Palestinian state, will you meet
    with Arafat and, if so, when?
        The President. I want to assure the American people, in particular
    our allies who are interested in our position in the Middle East, that
    we're spending a lot of time dealing with the Middle East. I know there
    was some concern amongst our allies when the September 11th--right after
    the September 11th attack, that we would forgo any responsibility we
    have in the Middle East. Secretary of State Powell is doing a great job of staying in contact with both Mr.
    Arafat and Prime Minister Sharon.
        I have met with Prime Minister Sharon, and
    I've assured him every time we've met that he has no better friend than
    the United States of America. I also stated the

    [[Page 1223]]

    other day that if we ever get into the Mitchell process where we can
    start discussing a political solution in the Middle East, that I believe
    there ought to be a Palestinian state, the boundaries of which will be
    negotiated by the parties, so long as the Palestinian state recognizes
    the right of Israel to exist and will treat Israel with respect.
        Obviously, the events of September 11th have prevented overt
    diplomacy in the Middle East--not prevented it, it just made it--my
    calendar is a little crowded. On the other hand, I am very much engaged.
    I have spoken to Prime Minister Sharon again.
    And if I am convinced that a meeting with a particular party at this
    point in time will further the process, I will do so. If it turns out to
    be an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations that will become
    dashed, I won't meet.
        I hope progress is being made. I was pleased to see that Mr.
    Arafat is trying to control the radical
    elements within the Palestinian Authority. And I think the world ought
    to applaud him for that. I hope he's taking measures necessary to reduce
    the violence in the Middle East, so that we can get into the Mitchell
    process.
        We're working hard on the topic, Helen. It's a very important part
    of our foreign policy.
        David [David Gregory, NBC News].

    Usama bin Laden and Al Qaida

        Q. Mr. President, good evening. I'd like to ask you for a more
    complete portrait of your progress so far. Can you tell the American
    people, specifically, what is the state of Usama bin Laden? What is the
    state of the Al Qaida network? Are they on the run? To what extent have
    you been able to disrupt their activities? Do you believe there are
    members of those cells still in the United States capable of carrying
    out terrorist acts? And, again, do you know whether Usama bin Laden is
    dead or alive?
        The President. Yes. Let me start backwards. I don't know if he's
    dead or alive. I want him brought to justice, however. We are following
    every possible lead to make sure that any Al Qaida member that could be
    in the United States is brought to justice. The FBI has got thousands of
    agents who are following every hint of a possibility of an Al Qaida
    member in our country. We're chasing down the leads of--that have been
    given to us as a result of the bombing, and we're following other leads.
        Let me say one thing about the FBI that I think people will find
    interesting. All of us in Government are having to adjust our way of
    thinking about the new war. The military is going to have to adjust.
    They've recognized--and Secretary Rumsfeld clearly understands this--that we need to have a--that we
    need to rethink how we configure our military--there's been some stories
    to that effect--so that we can more effectively respond to asymmetrical
    responses from terrorist organizations. The FBI must think differently,
    and Director Mueller is causing them
    to do so.
        The FBI, as you know, spent a lot of manpower and time chasing spies
    in a post-cold-war era. They were still chasing spies--nothing wrong
    with that, except we have a new enemy. And now the FBI is rightly
    directing resources toward homeland security. It's been an adjustment.
    And I'm proud to report that Director Mueller has adjusted quickly.
        I am confident that the Al Qaida organization is moving around
    Afghanistan. They think they might find safe haven? Not if we think
    they're there. And we've got them on the run.
        The other day we brought to justice a person that killed an American
    citizen in 1986. He was charged with murder. And I made a point of
    talking about that in a press conference because I wanted not only
    terrorists to understand but the American people to understand that
    we'll be patient, if need be, to bring them to justice. We'll find them.

    [[Page 1224]]

        And he thought his--this is an interesting case in Afghanistan
    because it's--he thought he had hijacked a country. He actually did for
    a while. He forced a country to accept his radical thoughts. And it
    became a safe haven for bin Laden and the Al Qaida organization. It's no
    longer a safe haven, that's for sure, because of our military activity,
    David.
        Yes, Elisabeth [Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times].

    Ensuring Continuity of Government

        Q. Mr. President, you've tried very hard to assure Americans that
    the country is safe, and yet your own Vice President has spent most of
    this week in a secure location. Can you explain why that is and also how
    long that will last?
        The President. Sure. I shook hands with the Vice President today in the Oval Office. I welcomed him out of his
    secure location. [Laughter] There are some times when the Vice President
    and I will be together, and sometimes we won't be. We take very
    seriously the notion of the continuity of Government. It's a
    responsibility we share, to make sure that under situations such as
    this, when there are possible threats facing our Government, that we
    separate ourselves, for the sake of continuity of our Government. And I
    was pleased to see him. He's looking swell. [Laughter]
        Jim [Jim Angle, Fox News].

    Nature of the Coalition

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Sir, some critics have expressed doubts
    about trying to get nations that once sponsored terrorism to now
    cooperate in the effort against terrorism. Would you share your thinking
    with us, sir, and is it your view that every sinner should get a chance
    to redeem himself--that there is, in effect, an amnesty for nations that
    once sponsored terrorism if they will now stop and cooperate with us?
        The President. Of course. But our ability to affect host nations
    harboring terrorists will depend upon our determination, our will, our
    patience. We are sending a signal to the world, as we speak, that if you
    harbor a terrorist, there will be a price to pay.
        And there are nations in the world that have expressed a desire to
    help. Helen mentioned Syria. The Syrians have talked to us about how
    they can help in the war against terrorism. We take that--we take that
    seriously, and we'll give them an opportunity to do so.
        I'm a performance-oriented person. I believe in results. And if you
    want to join the coalition against terror, we'll welcome you in. I have
    recognized some countries will do things that others won't do. All I ask
    is for results. If you say you want to join us to cut off money, show us
    the money. If you say you want to join us militarily, like Great Britain
    does, do so--and they have done so in a fashion that should make the
    people of Great Britain proud. If you're interested in sharing
    intelligence, share intelligence--all ways.
        I appreciate diplomatic talk, but I'm more interested in action and
    results. I am absolutely determined--absolutely determined--to rout
    terrorism out where it exists and bring them to justice. We learned a
    good lesson on September the 11th, that there is evil in this world. I
    know there's a lot of children in America wondering what took place. I
    think it's essential that all moms and dads and citizens tell their
    children we love them and there is love in the world, but also remind
    them there are evil people.
        And it's my duty as the President of the United States to use the
    resources of this great Nation, a freedom-loving nation, a compassionate
    nation, a nation that understands values of life, and rout terrorism out
    where it exists. And we're going to give plenty of nations a chance to
    do so.
        Terry [Terry Moran, ABC News].

    [[Page 1225]]

    FBI Warning

        Q. Back to the FBI warning of today, which was based, it said, on
    certain information that there would be retaliatory attacks over the
    next several days. Given the complete generality of that warning, what
    does it really accomplish, aside from scaring people into not doing what
    you've urged them to do--getting back to their normal lives--what should
    they do with it, and did you personally approve the issuance of that
    warning?
        The President. I'm aware of the intelligence that caused the warning
    to be issued, and it was a general threat on America. And as I mentioned
    earlier, had it been a specific threat, we would have contacted those to
    whom the threat was directed.
        But Terry, I think it is important for the American people to know
    their Government is on full alert, and that's what that warning showed.
    We take every threat seriously, and the American people shouldn't be
    surprised that we're issuing alerts. After all, on our TV screens the
    other day, we saw the evil one threatening--calling for more destruction
    and death in America. And so we should take these threats seriously. And
    we had another threat, a general threat. Had it been specific, we would
    have dealt with the specifics of the threat.
        I think the American people should take comfort in the fact that
    their Government is doing everything we possibly can do to run down
    every possible lead and take threats--and we take threats seriously.
        I think the American people do understand that after September 11th,
    that we're facing a different world. And they accept that
    responsibility. They accept that responsibility.
        There is, I think, some positive news about the American people
    reacting to what we're doing. The load factors on airplanes are
    increasing. Now, I recognize certain routes have been reduced, but
    nevertheless, people are getting back on airplanes. That's important
    that that be the case. Hotels are getting more customers. That's
    important for the working people of the country.
        We are getting back to normal. We're doing so with a new sense of
    awareness. And the warning that went out today helped heighten that
    sense of awareness.
        John [John Roberts, CBS News].

    Afghanistan

        Q. Mr. President, you've said on repeated occasions that you're not
    into nation-building. Yet, it appears in this case, given the politics
    of the region, it may play a crucial role in resolving this crisis.
    Prime Minister Blair of Britain has said that the coalition, if the
    Taliban falls, will work to create a broadly based government. I'm
    wondering, sir, has that become a priority of your administration now,
    to devise a plan for a new government in Afghanistan? And what part
    might King Zahir Shah play in that?
        The President. Well, I think it's--John, it's a--first let me
    reiterate, my focus is bringing Al Qaida to justice and saying to the
    host Government, you had your chance to deliver. Actually, I will say it
    again--if you cough him up, and his people, today, that we'll reconsider
    what we're doing to your country. You still have a second chance. Just
    bring him in, and bring his leaders and lieutenants and other thugs and
    criminals with him.
        I think we did learn a lesson, however, from--and should learn a
    lesson from the previous engagement in the Afghan area, that we should
    not just simply leave after a military objective has been achieved.
    That's why--and I sent that signal by announcing that we're going to
    spend $320 million of aid to the Afghan people. That's up from roughly
    $170 million this year.
        I personally think that a--and I appreciate Tony Blair's--and I've discussed this with him--his vision
    about Afghan after we're successful--Afghanistan after we're successful.
    One of the things we've got to

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    make sure of is that all parties, all interested parties have an
    opportunity to be a part of a new government, that we shouldn't play
    favorites between one group or another within Afghanistan. Secondly,
    we've got to work for a stable Afghanistan so that her neighbors don't
    fear terrorist activity again coming out of that country. Third, it
    would be helpful, of course, to eradicate narcotrafficking out of
    Afghanistan, as well.
        I believe that the United Nations would--could provide the framework
    necessary to help meet those conditions. It would be a useful function
    for the United Nations to take over the so-called nation-building--I
    would call it the stabilization of a future government--after our
    military mission is complete. We'll participate; other countries will
    participate. I've talked to many countries that are interested in making
    sure that the post-operations Afghanistan is one that is stable and one
    that doesn't become yet again a haven for terrorist criminals.
        Ken [Ken Walsh, U.S. News & World Report].

    Domestic Reaction

        Q. Mr. President, I'm sure many Americans are wondering where all
    this will lead. And you've called upon the country to go back to
    business and to go back to normal. But you haven't called for any
    sacrifices from the American people. And I wonder, do you feel that any
    will be needed? Are you planning to call for any? And do you think that
    American life will really go back to the way it was on September 10th?
        The President. Well, you know, I think the American people are
    sacrificing now. I think they're waiting in airport lines longer than
    they've ever had before. I think that--I think there's a certain
    sacrifice when you lose a piece of your soul. And Americans--listen, I
    was standing up there at the Pentagon today, and I saw the tears of the
    families whose lives were lost in the Pentagon. And I said in my talk
    there that America prays with you. I think there's a sacrifice, there's
    a certain sense of giving themselves to share their grief with people
    they'll never, maybe, ever see in their lives.
        So America is sacrificing. America--I think the interesting thing
    that has happened, and this is so sad an incident, but there are some
    positive things developed--that are developing. One is, I believe that
    many people are reassessing what's important in life. Moms and dads are
    not only reassessing their marriage and the importance of their marriage
    but of the necessity of loving their children like never before. I think
    that's one of the positives that have come from the evildoers.
        The evil ones have sparked an interesting change in America, I
    think--a compassion in our country that is overflowing. I know their
    intended act was to destroy us and make us cowards and make us not want
    to respond. But quite the opposite has happened. Our nation is united.
    We are strong. We're compassionate; neighbors care about neighbors.
        The story I talked about earlier was one that really touched my
    heart, about women of cover fearing to leave their homes. And there was
    such an outpouring of compassion for people within our own country, a
    recognition that the Islamic faith should stand side by side, hand to
    hand with the Jewish faith and the Christian faith in our great land. It
    is such a wonderful example.
        You know, I'm asked all the time--I'll ask myself a question.
    [Laughter] How do I respond to--it's an old trick--[laughter]--how do I
    respond when I see that in some Islamic countries there is vitriolic
    hatred for America? I'll tell you how I respond: I'm amazed. I'm amazed
    that there is such misunderstanding of what our country is about, that
    people would hate us. I am, I am--like most Americans, I just can't
    believe it, because I know how good we are, and we've got to do a better
    job of making our case. We've got to do a better job of explaining to
    the people in the Middle East, for example, that we don't

    [[Page 1227]]

    fight a war against Islam or Muslims. We don't hold any religion
    accountable. We're fighting evil. And these murderers have hijacked a
    great religion in order to justify their evil deeds. And we cannot let
    it stand.
        John [John King, Cable News Network].

    Nature of the Coalition/ABM Treaty

        Q. Mr. President, you have spoken with great pride of this
    international coalition. I want to ask you, before the events of
    September 11th, one of the big questions you faced this fall was, would
    you violate the Antiballistic Missile Treaty and go ahead with the
    missile defense plan if Russia did not strike a deal? Will you do that
    now because Russia's cooperation is so important? And separately but
    related, are you disappointed that while there have been some statements
    of support from the Muslim world and the Arab world, that there have not
    been more vocal and repeated statements agreeing with you that this is a
    war against terrorism, not Islam?
        The President. John, let me start with the latter part. I was
    heartened by the Organization of Islamic Conference's statement of
    support for our war against terror. I think that that statement spoke
    volumes about the attitude of Muslim nations, and I was pleased to see
    that support.
        Some coalition members will feel more comfortable doing certain
    things than other coalition members will. And my attitude is, and the
    attitude of my administration is, we'll accept any help that a
    government is comfortable in giving. And we should not try to force
    governments to do something that they can't do. Any help is better than
    no help.
        And so, I am so appreciative of the help we're getting in the Middle
    East. Somebody asked me the other day, was I pleased with the actions of
    Saudi Arabia. I am; I appreciate the actions of that Government.
        In terms of missile defense, I can't wait to visit with my friend
    Vladimir Putin, in Shanghai, to reiterate
    once again that the cold war is over, it's done with, and that there are
    new threats that we face, and no better example of that new threat than
    the attack on America on September 11th. And I'm going to ask my
    friend to envision a world in which a
    terrorist thug and/or a host nation might have the ability to develop--
    to deliver a weapon of mass destruction via a--via rocket. And wouldn't
    it be in our nations' advantage to be able to shoot it down? At the very
    least, it should be in our nations' advantage to determine whether we
    can shoot it down. And we're restricted from doing that because of an
    ABM Treaty that was signed during a totally different era.
        The case cannot be even--the case is more strong today than it was
    on September the 10th that the ABM is outmoded, outdated, reflects a
    different time. And I'm more than--I am more than anxious to continue
    making my case to them. And we will do what's right in regards to----
        Q. [Inaudible]--not agree, would you withdraw this year?
        The President. Excuse me, I'm having trouble hearing, John.
        Q. If he does not agree with you, would you withdraw from the ABM
    Treaty this year?
        The President. I have told Mr. Putin that
    the ABM Treaty is outdated, antiquated, and useless. And I hope that he
    will join us in a new strategic relationship.
        One more question, please. Thank you

    Domestic Response/America's Fund for Afghan Children

        Q. You talk about the general threat toward Americans. You know, the
    Internet is crowded with all sorts of rumor and gossip and, kind of,
    urban myths. And people ask us, what is it they're supposed to be on the
    lookout for? Other than the 22 most wanted terrorists, what are
    Americans supposed to look for and report to the police or to the FBI?
        The President. Well, Ann [Ann Compton, ABC News], you know, if you
    find a person

    [[Page 1228]]

    that you've never seen before getting in a crop duster that doesn't
    belong to you--[laughter]--report it. [Laughter] If you see suspicious
    people lurking around petrochemical plants, report it to law
    enforcement.
        I mean, people need to be logical. Now, listen, I want to urge my
    fellow Americans not to use this as an opportunity to pick on somebody
    that doesn't look like you or doesn't share your religion. The thing
    that makes our Nation so strong and that will ultimately defeat
    terrorist activity is our willingness to tolerate people of different
    faiths, different opinions, different colors within the fabric of our
    society.
        And so I would urge my fellow Americans, obviously, if they see
    something suspicious, abnormal, something that looks threatening, report
    it to local law enforcement.
        Let me conclude by one final statement. Thank you all for coming.
    Before we leave, I want to make a special request to the children of
    America. I ask you to join in a special effort to help the children of
    Afghanistan. Their country has been through a great deal of war and
    suffering. Many children there are starving and are severely
    malnourished. One in three Afghan children is an orphan. Almost half
    suffer chronic malnutrition. And we can, and must, help them.
        We've created a special relief effort that will be supervised by the
    Red Cross. We are asking every child in America to earn or give a dollar
    that will be used to provide food and medical help for the children of
    Afghanistan. You can send your dollar in an envelope, marked America's
    Fund for Afghan Children, right here to the White House, 1600
    Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.
        This is an opportunity to help others, while teaching our own
    children a valuable lesson about service and character. I hope school
    classes or Boys and Girl Scout troops, other youth organizations will
    participate in any way to raise the money to send to the children. Wash
    your car. Do a yard for a neighbor. And I hope the adults will help
    them, as well.
        Ultimately, one of the best weapons, one of the truest weapons that
    we have against terrorism is to show the world the true strength of
    character and kindness of the American people. Americans are united in
    this fight against terrorism. We're also united in our concern for the
    innocent people of Afghanistan. Winter is coming, and by acting today we
    can help the children survive.
        Thank you for your questions. May God bless America.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 8 p.m. in the East Room
    at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Al Qaida spokesman
    Sulaiman Abu Ghaith; President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; Prime Minister
    Ariel Sharon of Israel; Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian
    Authority; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom; Muhammad
    Zahir Shah, former King of Afghanistan; and President Vladimir Putin of
    Russia. The President also referred to the Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh
    Fact-Finding Committee, chaired by former Senator George J. Mitchell,
    issued April 30.