Bush: 'Time for Action' on Terrorism

Nov. 10 -- President Bush told world leaders gathered at the United Nations today that the fight against terrorism is every nation's fight, and that all civilized nations must work together to defeat it.

"Every nation has a stake in this cause," Bush said. "As we meet, the terrorists are planning more murder, perhaps in my country or perhaps in yours.

"We have a chance the write the story or our times, a story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness," Bush added. "This calling is worthy of any life and worthy of every nation. So let us go forward, confident, determined and unafraid."

The president told diplomats and nearly 50 world leaders assembled in New York for the U.N.'s annual "general debate" that "every nation in our coalition has duties" whether they are called upon to actively fight individual battles or not.

Bush said obligations of civilized nations include cracking down on terrorists' assets, sharing relevant intelligence information and denying terrorists any aid or safe harbor. He had a warning for any nation that might fail to comply.

"For every regime that sponsors terror, there is a price to be paid and it will be paid," Bush said. "The allies of terror are equally guilty of murder and equally accountable to justice."

The annual U.N. General Assembly session originally was scheduled to begin Sept. 24, but was postponed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Bush expressed gratitude for U.N. and international expressions of sympathy.

"The memorials and vigils around the world will not be forgotten, but the time for sympathy has now passed," Bush said. "The time for action has now arrived."

More Diplomacy

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will also engage in critical negotiations at the U.N. on Monday, when he talks with foreign ministers of the so-called "six plus two" group — countries bordering on Afghanistan, plus Russia and the United States — in an attempt to shape a broad-based coalition that could rule Afghanistan if the country's ruling Taliban is defeated by the U.S. military campaign.

But keeping any current coalition intact may be easier said than done. While some Middle Eastern allies of the United States have called for Bush to lead Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Bush does not have plans to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the U.N. gathering.

However, Bush rewarded President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, who has been a vital U.S. ally during the U.S. airstrikes despite considerable political risks. Standing with Musharraf at an evening press conference, Bush said he had authorized the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Pakistan, debt relief and $1 billion in U.S. aid.