[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Pages 1346-1347]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Departure for Capitol Hill With Prime Minister Tony Blair of 
the United Kingdom and an Exchange With Reporters

September 20, 2001

    President Bush. It's my honor to welcome my friend, and a friend to 
America, Prime Minister Tony Blair to the White House. I appreciate him 
coming to America in our time of need. One of the first phone calls I 
got after that terrible day was from the Prime Minister. He was 
reassuring to me. He was--he showed to be a true friend, and I 
appreciate that. I'm so honored you're here.
    And I look forward to giving a speech tonight. The Prime Minister 
has kindly agreed to come and listen to it. So I'm not going to answer 
any questions tonight. I'm going to let my speech be exactly what I want 
to say.
    In the meantime, the Prime Minister has agreed to say a few comments 
and then take a couple of questions from you.
    Prime Minister Blair. Thank you, Mr. President. It's my honor to be 
here and also to pay tribute to your leadership at this immensely 
difficult time. I was in New York earlier today, and it's perhaps only 
when you are actually there that the full enormity and horror of what 
happened comes home to you.
    And I said then, I would like to repeat, that my father's generation 
went through the experience of the Second World War, when Britain was 
under attack during the days of the Blitz. And there was one nation and 
one people that, above all, stood side by side with us at that time. And 
that nation was America, and those people were the American people. And 
I say to you, we stand side by side with you now, without hesitation.
    This is a struggle that concerns us all, the whole of the democratic 
and civilized and free world. And we have to do two things, very 
clearly: We have to bring to account those responsible, and then we have 
to set about at every single level, in every way that we can, 
dismantling the apparatus of terror and eradicating the evil of mass 
terrorism in our world.
    And I know that America, Britain, and all our allies will stand 
united together in that task. And I give you, on behalf of our country, 
our solidarity, our sympathy, and our support.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir.

United Kingdom's Response

    Q. Mr. Prime Minister, have you discussed what Britain's involvement 
in any military action might be?
    Prime Minister Blair. Well, of course, we've discussed the full 
range of issues. Now is not the moment to go into the details of 
whatever response we make. But I think that you can be in no doubt at 
all of our determination to act to make sure, as I say, that those 
responsible for this event are brought to account. And in the talks I 
had in Europe before I left, I believe that sense of solidarity is 
echoed right round the world.
    Q. Prime Minister, how are you prepared to go on supporting a full-
scale war--[inaudible]----
    Prime Minister Blair. I believe we have to go on fighting terrorism 
as long as it takes, because what happened on the 11th of September was, 
of course, a brutal and horrific attack on America, but it was a 
demonstration of what these people are capable of in any part of the 
world. And the important thing to realize is that there is no limit on 
what they would do that is moral. They have no regard for the sanctity 
of human life. They don't share the values of democracy or freedom or 
justice. The only limits on what they do are practical or technical.
    And that is why it is our duty--I believe this--it is our duty to 
take action to make sure that at every level we can--how these groups 
are financed, how they operate, how they move about, the weapons that 
they acquire--at every single level, we have to take the action 
necessary to put an end to it.

International Support

    Q. Prime Minister, the President said tonight that countries have to 
choose between being with you or being with the terrorists. How many 
countries do you believe are making the choice to be with terrorists? 
And what are the consequences to countries still not sure which side 
they're on?
    Prime Minister Blair. Well, I just wanted to say this to you in 
conclusion to that question. I believe right round the world there

[[Page 1347]]

is support for firm action now. And I believe the coalition of support 
for that action is growing. It is strengthening; it is not diminishing. 
And that is the impression that I have had from many of the 
conversations I've had with world leaders in all different parts of the 
world. Because this struggle is something that should unite people of 
all faiths, of all nations, of all democratic political persuasions, and 
I believe it will.
    President Bush. We've got to go. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 8:12 p.m. in the Grand Foyer at the White 
House.