[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.