    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 17, 2001]
    [Pages 1117-1120]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Employees in the Pentagon and an Exchange With Reporters in
    Arlington, Virginia
    September 17, 2001

        The President. First, let me start off by saying to the members of
    the Pentagon press, the Secretary told me
    about how you conducted your business on that fateful day. I want to
    congratulate you and thank you. Many of your members of the Pentagon
    press went out to help in the evacuation and the aid of the people who
    work

    [[Page 1118]]

    here in the Pentagon, and the country appreciates that very much. Thank
    you. Pass the word on to your colleagues as well.
        Today we're talking about the mobilization of Reserve and Guard
    troops. Such a mobilization is a strong symbol of this Nation's resolve.
    And I want to thank the Secretary and
    David and members of our team for giving me a complete and full
    briefing.
        I fully understand that a mobilization affects the lives of
    thousands of Americans. I mean, after all, we're talking about
    somebody's mom or somebody's dad, somebody's employee, somebody's
    friend, or somebody's neighbor. But the world will see that the strength
    of this Nation is found in the character and dedication and courage of
    everyday citizens.
        We are--last week I proclaimed a national emergency and authorized
    the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of
    Transportation to call up the Ready Reserve
    Units of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to active duty. We are in
    the process of calling up as many as 35,000 such troops. They will serve
    in a number of essential roles. They will help maintain our air defenses
    so they can stay on high alert. They will check shipping in ports. They
    will help our military with airlift and logistics. They will provide
    military police. They will participate in engineering projects. They
    will help gather intelligence. And they will perform work as chaplains.
        I know this means a lot of sacrifice for those who will be called up
    and their families. But you understand--the troops who will be called up
    understand better than most that freedom has a cost and that we're
    willing to bear that cost. An act of war has been committed on this
    country, and the dedication of our guardsmen and reservists will serve
    not only as a strong symbol to all that we're prepared to take the
    necessary actions but will be a part of helping define the spirit and
    courage of America. And I'm grateful.
        I want to thank the employers who understand that there is more to
    corporate life than just profit and loss, that the employee who is
    getting ready to serve the country is an essential part of winning the--
    of defeating terrorism, evildoers so emboldened that they feel like they
    could attack the great bastion of freedom.
        Before I answer a few questions, I also want to wish the American
    Jewish community and Jews around the world a healthy and happy new year.
    As the high holy days begin, I know you'll find strength and
    determination during this time of reflection.
        I'll be glad to answer a few questions. Ron [Ron Fournier,
    Associated Press].

    U.S. Military Response/National Economy

        Q. Mr. President, does the cost of freedom today in this war we're
    about to wage include the loss of civilian and military casualties? And
    can you keep us out of a depression/recession during this crisis?
        The President. The only thing I can do is to reflect upon the spirit
    of the U.S. military, and the U.S. military is ready to defend freedom
    at any cost. The men and women who wear our uniforms, both active duty
    and reservists and national guardspeople, are ready to respond to the
    call of the Commander in Chief and the Secretary of Defense. There's no question in my mind that the resolve of
    our military has never been stronger. And we will win the war, and there
    will be costs. But the military folks understand that, and so do I, and
    so does the Secretary of Defense.
        In terms of our economy, I've got great faith in the economy. I
    understand it's tough right now. Transportation business is hurting.
    Obviously, the market was correcting prior to this crisis. But the
    underpinnings for economic growth are there. We're the greatest
    entrepreneurial society in the world. We've got the best farmers and
    ranchers. We've got a strong manufacturing base. But there's a challenge
    ahead of us, and I'm confident that our

    [[Page 1119]]

    business community will rise to the challenge.
        Secondly, I'm confident we can work with Congress to come up with an
    economic stimulus package, if need be, that will send a clear signal to
    the risktakers and capital formatters of our country that the
    Government's going to act too.
        Thirdly, we've got a tax cut that's still working its way through
    the economy, as well as a reconstruction plan for New York and the area.
    After all, the Congress, in a bipartisan fashion, overwhelmingly passed
    a supplemental of billions of dollars, which will help not only get New
    York City up and running again but will help provide some economic
    stimulus.

    Airline Industry

        Q. Mr. President, in the airline industry, in particular, it is in
    trouble and looking for some relief. I know that Secretary Mineta was
    supposed to meet with representatives from the industry this week. As
    you look down the road, does he think and expect some----
        The President. Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News], I think these
    are the kinds of subjects that we will talk with the Secretary of
    Transportation, with the airline industry,
    and as importantly, with Members of Congress. Congress must be involved,
    obviously, with these deliberations. And I look forward to--I've already
    encouraged my administration to reach out to Members of Congress, and we
    will continue doing so.
        Patsy [Patricia Wilson, Reuters].

    Usama bin Laden

        Q. Mr. President, the Taliban apparently has refused to hand over
    Usama bin Laden to the Pakistanis. Does this mean that the U.S. will be
    prepared to move militarily?
        The President. Patsy, I want to make it clear to the American people
    that this administration will not talk about any plans we may or may not
    have. We will not jeopardize, in any way, shape, or form, anybody who
    wears the uniform of the United States.
        All I can tell you is that Usama bin Laden is a prime suspect, and
    the people who house him, encourage him, provide food, comfort, or money
    are on notice. Last Tuesday--last week I spoke clearly about our
    Nation's policy, and that is, we're going to find those who--those
    evildoers, those barbaric people who attacked our country, and we're
    going to hold them accountable, and we're going to hold the people who
    house them accountable. The people who think they can provide them safe
    havens will be held accountable. The people who feed them will be held
    accountable. And the Taliban must take my statement seriously.
        Yes, ma'am.

    Prospects of War

        Q. Mr. President, is it the case, based on what you've said now,
    that war is inevitable, and can you tell the American people what that
    war is going to look like?
        The President. I believe--I know that an act of war was declared
    against America. But this will be a different type of war than we're
    used to. In the past, there have been beaches to storm, islands to
    conquer. We've been able to watch on our television screens
    sophisticated weaponry find a building, and we've seen dramatic reports
    from the front where Pulitzer-Prize-to-be-winning reporters stood up and
    declared, ``The United States has attacked,'' and all that.
        There may be some of that, who knows. But I know that this is a
    different type of enemy than we're used to. It's an enemy that likes to
    hide and burrow in, and their network is extensive. There's no rules.
    It's barbaric behavior. They slit throats of women on airplanes in order
    to achieve an objective that is beyond comprehension. And they like to
    hit, and then they like to hide out. But we're going to smoke them out.
    And we're adjusting our thinking to

    [[Page 1120]]

    the new type of enemy. These are terrorists that have no borders.
        And by the way, it's important for the world to understand that we
    know in America that more than just Americans suffered loss of life in
    the World Trade Center. People from all kinds of nationalities lost
    life. That's why the world is rallying to our call to defeat terrorism.
    Many world leaders understand that that could have easily--that the
    attack could have as easily happened on their land. And they also
    understand that this enemy knows no border. But they know what I know,
    that when we start putting the heat on those who house them, that we'll
    get them running. And once we get them running, we have got a good
    chance to getting them. And that's exactly what our intent is.
        The focus right now is on Usama bin Laden, no question about it.
    He's the prime suspect, and his organization. But there are other
    terrorists in the world. There are people who hate freedom. This is a
    fight for freedom. This is a fight to say to the freedom-loving people
    of the world: We will not allow ourselves to be terrorized by somebody
    who thinks they can hit and hide in some cave somewhere.
        It's going to require a new thought process. And I'm proud to report
    our military, led by the Secretary of Defense, understands that, understands it's a new type of war. It's
    going to take a long time to win this war. The American people are going
    to have to be more patient than ever with the efforts of--our combined
    efforts, not just ourselves but the efforts of our allies, to get them
    running and to find them and to hunt them down.
        But as the Vice President said, you know,
    Usama bin Laden is just one person. He is
    representative of networks of people who absolutely have made their
    cause to defeat the freedoms that we take--that we understand. And we
    will not allow them to do so.

     Usama bin Laden

        Q. Do you want bin Laden dead?
        The President. I want him held--I want justice. There's an old
    poster out West, as I recall, that said, ``Wanted: Dead or Alive.''
        Q. Do you see this being long-term? You were saying it's long-term;
    do you see an end, at all?
        The President. I think that this is a long-term battle--war. There
    will be battles. But this is long-term. After all, our mission is not
    just Usama bin Laden, the Al Qaida organization. Our mission is to
    battle terrorism and to join with freedom-loving people. We are putting
    together a coalition that is a coalition dedicated to declaring to the
    world, we will do what it takes to find the terrorists, to rout them
    out, and to hold them accountable. And the United States is proud to
    lead the coalition.
        Q. Are you saying you want him dead or alive, sir? Can I interpret--
    --
        The President. I just remember--all I'm doing is remembering--when I
    was a kid, I remember that they used to put out there, in the Old West,
    a wanted poster. It said, ``Wanted: Dead or Alive.'' All I want--and
    America wants him brought to justice. That's what we want.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:45 a.m. at the entrance to the Joint
    Staff corridor of the Pentagon. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary
    of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld; and Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al
    Qaida terrorist organization.