Remarks on departure for waterford, Michigan, and an exchange with reporters

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Oct 21, 2002

October 14, 2002

Terrorist Attack in Indonesia

The President. Last night I called Prime Minister Howard of Australia to express our country's deepest sympathies to the citizens of that good country who lost their lives, to the families who mourn and cry. I send the same sympathies and prayers to the family of the U.S. citizen--or citizens--as well as citizens from around the world. The murder which took place in Bali reminds us that this war against terror continues.

I've constantly told the American people that the struggle against terror is going to be a long and difficult struggle, that we're dealing with coldblooded killers, that the enemy does not value innocent life like we do, and that we must continue to pursue the enemy before they hurt us again.

I believe that the attacks on the French vessel in Yemen is connected with this type of terror, that they're related. I believe that the attack on our marines in Kuwait reflect the international nature of these cells, these killer cells. We've got to continue to work together. Those of us who love freedom must work together to do everything we can to disrupt, deny, and bring to justice these people who have no soul, no conscience, people who hate freedom.

I told the Prime Minister and I told Prime Minister Blair--the Prime Minister of Australia--and I told Prime Minister Blair this morning that I'm absolutely determined to continue to lead the coalition. They recognize the need for us to continue to work together. And it's a sad day for a lot of people around the world, and--but it also is a day in which we've got to realize that we've got a long way to go to make the world more secure and more peaceful.

I'll answer a couple of questions. Ron [Ron Fournier, Associated Press].

Q. Sir, how does this emphasize the risk that we have in this country-----

The President. Yes -----

Q. ----- and does this improve your ability to put together a coalition and a resolution in the U.N.?

The President. Well, I think that the free world is--must recognize that no one is safe, that if you embrace freedom, you're not safe from terrorism. And clearly, the attacks in Bali--I think we have to assume it's Al Qaida. We're beginning to hear some reports that's more definitive than that, but I wait for our own analysis. But clearly it's a deliberate attack on citizens who love freedom, citizens from countries which embrace freedom. They're trying to intimidate us, and we won't be intimidated.

I'm concerned about our homeland. Obviously, if I knew of a specific piece of intelligence that would indicate a moment or a place in which the enemy would attack, we'd do a lot about it. But that's why we're still working with our authorities, the different--taking the intelligence as we know it and responding.

Here at home we're not immune from these kinds of attacks, and I'm concerned about it.

Yes, Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

Al Qaida/Iraq

Q. Mr. President, does this mean now that Al Qaida has reconstituted itself, and do you think--how does this play on your policy on Iraq?

The President. Yes. Well, first, I--we're making great progress in the war against terror. But as I told our citizens, and have been repeatedly telling our citizens, this is a long war. And it's going to take a while to fully rout Al Qaida. We don't know whether bin Laden is alive or dead. You know, they keep floating supposed letters and--or radio broadcasts. We do know that Al Qaida is still dangerous. And while we've made good progress, there's a lot more work to do.

As I've repeatedly said, our thoughts about Iraq relate to the war on terror and that dealing with--or getting Saddam Hussein to disarm is all part of making the world more peaceful. And it's all part of the war against terror.

Yes, John [John Roberts, CBS News].

Usama bin Laden/At Qaida

Q. Mr. President, do you--on that point, on Usama bin Laden, do you have a response to the letter that was put out today, allegedly under his name, praising the killing of the American marine in Kuwait? And do you share the concerns of Senator Richard Shelby, who believes that this is, in fact, a new Al Qaida offensive?

The President. Well, I--first, I don't know whether bin Laden is alive or dead. I--you know, I do know Al Qaida is extremely dangerous. I do know that there are still some of his top lieutenants roaming around and that we're doing everything we can to bring them to justice.

John, I also know that the enemy still wants to hit us and that the--as I mentioned earlier, that I believe the attack on the French vessel was a terrorist attack. Obviously, the attack on our marines in Kuwait was a terrorist attack. The attack in Bali appears to be an Al-Qaida-type terrorist--definitely a terrorist attack, whether it's Al-Qaida-related or not--I would assume it is. And therefore, it does look like a pattern of attacks that the enemy, albeit on the run, is trying to once again frighten and kill freedom-loving people. And we've just got to understand, we are in a long struggle.

And I am absolutely determined now, as I was a year ago, to continue to rout out these people, to find them, to use the best intelligence we can, and to bring them to justice. And we will continue to pursue.