[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[September 15, 2001]
[Pages 1111-1113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1111]]


Remarks in a Meeting With the National Security Team and an Exchange 
With Reporters at Camp David, Maryland
September 15, 2001

    The President. I've asked the highest levels of our Government to 
come to discuss the current tragedy that has so deeply affected our 
Nation. Our country mourns for the loss of life and for those whose 
lives have been so deeply affected by this despicable act of terror.
    I am going to describe to our leadership what I saw: the wreckage of 
New York City, the signs of the first battle of war.
    We're going to meet and deliberate and discuss, but there's no 
question about it, this act will not stand. We will find those who did 
it; we will smoke them out of their holes; we will get them running; and 
we'll bring them to justice. We will not only deal with those who dare 
attack America; we will deal with those who harbor them and feed them 
and house them.
    Make no mistake about it: Underneath our tears is the strong 
determination of America to win this war. And we will win it.
    I'm going to ask the Secretary of State 
to say a few things, and then the Attorney General.
    Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. 
Thank you, Mr. President. I might just say that I'm very pleased with 
the response we've been getting from the international community. I 
think every civilized nation in the world recognizes that this was an 
assault not just against the United States but against civilization.
    We should also take note, it's not just Americans who lost lives in 
the World Trade Center. Dozens of countries lost lives, and they realize 
that this was an attack against them as well.
    We are receiving expressions of support from around the world and 
not just rhetorical support but real support for whatever may lay ahead 
in this campaign that is ahead of us to win the war that the President 
has spoken of.
    I might especially want to thank the President and the people of 
Pakistan for the support that they have offered and their willingness to 
assist us in whatever might be required in that part of the world as we 
determine who those perpetrators are. It's a coalition that will stay 
intact, that will be built upon over time. And what we have to do is not 
just go after these perpetrators and those who gave them haven but the 
whole curse of terrorism that is upon the face of the Earth. And this is 
a campaign that we have begun this week, and we will stick with it until 
we are successful.
    The President. Attorney General.
    Attorney General John D. Ashcroft. Four days ago we began an 
investigative effort to understand not only those who perpetrate this 
heinous assault against America and free people everywhere but to 
develop an understanding of those who are associated with it and how it 
was conducted.
    The FBI, together with very cooperative local and State officials 
and law enforcement agencies, has processed thousands of leads. We are 
making the kinds of contacts and developing the information that allow 
us to describe this as proceeding with reasonable success. We believe 
that the picture is developing a kind of clarity that's appropriate. We 
have named 19 individuals that we have high levels of confidence were 
the hijackers. And we are further refining our understanding of the ways 
in which this terrible crime was developed.
    I might add that we have put in place very serious measures that we 
believe will provide greater security and provide a basis for our 
country returning to the kind of freedom and business and conduct that 
is characteristic of this great Nation.

[[Page 1112]]

U.S. Response to Terrorist Attacks

    Q. Sir, what do you say to Americans who are worried that the longer 
it takes to retaliate, the more chance the perpetrators have to escape 
and hide and just escape justice?
    The President. They will try to hide. They will try to avoid the 
United States and our allies, but we're not going to let them. They run 
to the hills. They find holes to get in, and we will do whatever it 
takes to smoke them out and get them running, and we'll get them.
    Listen, this is a great nation. We're a kind people. None of us 
could have envisioned the barbaric acts of these terrorists. But they 
have stirred up the might of the American people, and we're going to get 
them, no matter what it takes.
    In my radio address today I explained to the American people that 
this effort may require patience. But we're going to----
    Q. How long----
    The President. As long as it takes. And it's not just one person. 
We're talking about those who fed them, those who house them, those who 
harbor terrorists will be held accountable for this action.

Usama bin Laden

    Q. Sir, are you satisfied that Usama bin Laden is at least a kingpin 
of this operation?
    The President. There is no question he is what we would call a prime 
suspect. And if he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and 
our allies, he will be sorely mistaken.

U.S. Military

    Q. Mr. President, do you have a message for the reservists that you 
called up yesterday? Can you tell us whether you think more may have to 
be called up?
    The President. The message is for everybody who wears the uniform: 
Get ready. The United States will do what it takes to win this war. And 
I ask patience of the American people. There is no question in my mind, 
we'll have the resolve. I witnessed it yesterday on the construction 
site. Behind the sadness and the exhaustion, there is a desire by the 
American people to not seek only revenge but to win a war against 
barbaric behavior, people that hate freedom and hate what we stand for. 
And this is an administration that is going to dedicate ourselves to 
winning that war.

Pakistan

    Q. What did Pakistan say it would do to help the United States?
    Secretary Powell. We put before the 
Pakistani Government a specific list of things that we would like 
cooperation on, and they've agreed to all those items. I'm not prepared 
to announce today what those specific items are. But the Pakistani 
Government was very forthcoming, and we're appreciative.

U.S. Response to Terrorist Attacks

    Q. Mr. President, what kind of military options are you considering, 
if you could talk broadly?
    The President. This is an administration that will not talk about 
how we gather intelligence, how we know what we're going to do, nor what 
our plans are. When we move, we will communicate with you in an 
appropriate manner. We're at war. There has been an act of war declared 
upon America by terrorists, and we will respond accordingly. And I 
appreciate very much the American people understanding that. As we plan, 
as we put our strategy into action, we will let you know when we think 
it's appropriate, not only to protect the lives of our service men and 
women but to make sure our coalition has had proper time to be noticed, 
as well. But we're going to act.
    Q. What is the risk of additional attacks on us at this point?
    The President. I would think the American people need to be--go 
about their business on Monday but with a heightened

[[Page 1113]]

sense of awareness that a group of barbarians have declared war on the 
American people.
    Q. Sir, how much of a sacrifice are ordinary Americans going to have 
to be expected to make in their daily lives, in their daily routines?
    The President. Our hope, of course, is that they make no sacrifice 
whatsoever. We would like to see life return to normal in America. But 
these people have declared war on us, and we will do whatever it takes 
to make sure that we're safe internally. So, therefore, people may not 
be able to board flights as quickly. Our borders are tighter than 
they've ever been before. We're taken a variety of measures to make sure 
that the American people are safe, just as the Attorney 
General spoke about.
    But we hope, obviously, that the measures we take will allow the 
American economy to continue on. I urge people to go to their businesses 
on Monday. I understand Major League Baseball is going to start playing 
again. It is important for America to get on about its life. But our 
Government will be on full alert, and we'll be tracing every lead, every 
potential, to make sure that the American people are safe.
    Q. How long do you envision----
    The President. The definition is, whatever it takes.

Note: The President spoke at 9:19 a.m. in the Laurel Cabin. A tape was 
not available for verification of the content of these remarks.