[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 42 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Pages 1475-1476]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

October 13, 2001

    Good morning. This week we opened some important new fronts in the 
war on terror. We're taking the war to the enemy, and we are 
strengthening our defenses here at home.
    In last week's radio address, I warned that time was running out for 
the Taliban to turn over the terrorists they shelter. They did not 
listen, and they are paying a price.
    On Sunday American and British forces launched strikes at terrorist 
camps and Taliban military targets in Afghanistan. Our men and women in 
uniform are performing as they always do, with skill and courage, and 
they have achieved the goals of the first phase of our campaign. We have 
disrupted the terrorist network inside Afghanistan. We have weakened the 
Taliban's military, and we have crippled the Taliban's air defenses.
    American forces dominate the skies over Afghanistan, and we will use 
that dominance to make sure terrorists can no longer freely use 
Afghanistan as a base of operations.
    This campaign will not be completed in one attack. Our enemy prefers 
to attack the helpless. He hides from our soldiers. But we're making a 
determined effort to take away his hiding places. The best defense 
against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work 
continues.
    At the same time, we are taking further action to strengthen our 
protections against terrorism here at home. This week I signed an 
Executive order creating a new Office of Homeland Security. The Office 
is headed by a skilled and tested leader, former Pennsylvania Governor 
Tom Ridge.
    Governor Ridge is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He's an 
effective executive, and he knows what we're up against because his own 
State was one of the three where Americans died on September the 11th.
    Governor Ridge is charged with coordinating a comprehensive national 
effort to protect our country against terrorism, to frustrate 
terrorists' plans, to help protect vulnerable points, and to prepare our 
response to potential threats. Tom Ridge will report directly to me, and 
he will have the full support of our entire Government.
    I understand that many Americans are feeling uneasy. But all 
Americans should be assured: We are taking strong precautions; we are 
vigilant; we are determined; the country is alert; and the great power 
of the American Nation will be felt.
    Our Nation is grateful to so many Americans who are rallying to our 
cause and preparing for the struggle ahead: FBI agents; intelligence 
officers; emergency response workers; public health authorities; State 
and local officials; our diplomats abroad; law enforcement teams who 
safeguard our security at home; and soldiers, sailors, marines, and 
airmen who defend us so far away.
    Many others are asking, ``What can I do?'' Americans already 
contribute to the war on terror by their patience and patriotism, by 
their resolve and generosity.
    Yet, I have one more task, one especially for America's children. I 
urge you to show the best of America by directly helping the children of 
Afghanistan who are suffering from the oppression and misrule of their 
own Government. Many are malnourished; many are starving.
    Put a dollar in an envelope. Mark it, ``America's Fund for Afghan 
Children,'' and send it here to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, Washington, DC 20509-1600. Working with the American Red Cross, 
we will get that money to Afghan children in need.
    This is something the children of America can do for the children of 
Afghanistan, even as we oppose the brutal Taliban regime. We will oppose 
their evil with firm justice, and

[[Page 1476]]

we will answer their hatred with compassion for the Afghan people.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 11:20 a.m. on October 12 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October 
13. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 12 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.