[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Pages 1324-1327]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Employees at the Pentagon and an Exchange With Reporters in 
Arlington, Virginia

September 17, 2001

    The President. First, let me start off by saying to 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 here in the Pentagon, and 
the country appreciates that very much. Thank you. Pass the word on to 
your colleagues, as well.

[[Page 1325]]

    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 Guard people 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 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

[[Page 1326]]

again but will help provide some economic stimulus.

Airline Industry

    Q. Mr. President, in the airline industry, in particular, 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 with--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.

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 [Patricia Wilson, Reuters], 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 me, 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. This is--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 is 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 the new type of enemy. These are terrorists who 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--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, they will 
get them running. And once we get them running, we have got a good 
chance of 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 in 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

[[Page 1327]]

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 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 Usama bin 
Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organization. A portion of these 
remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.