    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [July 21, 2007]
    [Pages 1002-1003]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 21, 2007

        Good morning. On Friday, I met with a group of veterans and military
    families who support our troops and our mission in Iraq. These men and
    women know the tremendous sacrifices that our troops and their families
    are making. And I appreciate the good work their organizations are doing
    to support our men and women in uniform in their important mission to
    protect the United States.
        This week, Americans saw more evidence of how difficult that mission
    is and how central it is to our security. The Director of National
    Intelligence released a summary of an
    important document called the National Intelligence Estimate on the
    ``Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland.'' This assessment brings together
    the analysis of our entire intelligence community and provides
    policymakers with an up-to-date picture of the threat we face.
        I know you are hearing a lot about this document. Some of its
    assessments are encouraging, and others are cause for concern. Most
    importantly, this document reminds us that America faces ``a persistent
    and evolving'' threat from Islamic terrorist groups and cells,
    especially Al Qaida.
        Since Al Qaida attacked us on 9/11, the United States has taken many
    steps to keep the American people safe. We've gone on the offense,
    taking the fight to the terrorists around the world. We've worked with
    partners overseas to monitor terrorist movements, disrupt their
    finances, and bring them to justice. Here at home, we've strengthened
    security at borders and vital infrastructure like powerplants and
    airports and subways. We have given intelligence and law enforcement
    professionals new tools like the PATRIOT Act, and we continue to work
    with Congress to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
        The actions we and our partners around the world have taken have
    helped disrupt plots and save lives. Here's how the NIE report put it,
    quote: ``We assess that greatly increased worldwide counterterrorism
    efforts over the past 5 years have constrained the ability of Al Qaida
    to attack the U.S. homeland again and have led terrorist groups to
    perceive the homeland as a harder target to strike than on 9/11.''
        The NIE report also cites some setbacks. One of the most troubling
    is its assessment that Al Qaida has managed to establish a safe haven in
    the tribal areas of Pakistan

    [[Page 1003]]

    bordering Afghanistan. Last September, President Musharraf of Pakistan reached an agreement that gave tribal
    leaders more responsibility for policing their own areas. Unfortunately,
    tribal leaders were unwilling and unable to go after Al Qaida or the
    Taliban.
        President Musharraf recognizes the
    agreement has not been successful or well-enforced and is taking active
    steps to correct it. Earlier this month, he sent in Pakistani forces to
    go after radicals who seized control of a mosque, and then he delivered
    a speech vowing to rid all of Pakistan of extremism. Pakistani forces
    are in the fight, and many have given their lives. The United States
    supports them in these efforts. And we will work with our partners to
    deny safe haven to the Taliban and Al Qaida in Pakistan or anywhere else
    in the world.
        Nearly 6 years have passed since 9/11. And as time goes by, it can
    be tempting to think that the threat of another attack on our homeland
    is behind us. The NIE report makes clear that the threat is not behind
    us. It states that Al Qaida will continue to, and I quote, ``focus on
    prominent political, economic, and infrastructure targets with the goal
    of producing mass casualties, visually dramatic destruction, significant
    economic aftershocks, and/or fear among the U.S. population.'' It goes
    on to say that Al Qaida will continue to seek chemical, biological,
    radiological, or nuclear material to use in these attacks.
        The men who run Al Qaida are determined, capable, and ruthless. They
    would be in a far stronger position to attack our people if America's
    military, law enforcement, intelligence services, and other elements of
    our Government were not engaged in a worldwide effort to stop them. We
    will meet the responsibility that history has given us, we will adapt to
    changing conditions, and we will not let up until our enemies are
    defeated and our people are secure.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on July 20 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 21. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 20, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.