    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [May 11, 2006]
    [Pages 917-918]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Terrorist Surveillance Program
    May 11, 2006

        After September the 11th, I vowed to the American people that our
    Government would do everything within the law to protect them against
    another terrorist attack. As part of this effort, I authorized the
    National Security Agency to intercept the international communications
    of people with known links to Al Qaida and related terrorist
    organizations. In other words, if Al Qaida or their associates are
    making calls into the United States or out of the United States, we want
    to know what they're saying.
        Today there are new claims about other ways we are tracking down Al
    Qaida to prevent attacks on America. I want to make some important
    points about what the Government is doing and what the Government is not
    doing.
        First, our intelligence activities strictly target Al Qaida and
    their known affiliates. Al Qaida is our enemy, and we want to know their
    plans. Second, the Government does not listen to domestic phone calls
    without court approval. Third, the intelligence activities I authorized
    are lawful and have been briefed to appropriate Members of Congress,
    both Republican and Democrat. Fourth, the privacy of ordinary Americans
    is fiercely protected in all our activities.
        We're not mining or trolling through the personal lives of millions
    of innocent Americans. Our efforts are focused on links to Al Qaida and
    their known affiliates. So far we've been very successful in preventing
    another attack on our soil.
        As a general matter, every time sensitive intelligence is leaked, it
    hurts our ability to defeat this enemy. Our most important job is to
    protect the American people from another attack, and we will do so
    within the laws of our country.
        Thank you.

    [[Page 918]]

    Note: The President spoke at 12:03 p.m. in the Diplomatic Reception Room
    at the White House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of these remarks.