Transcript of British Prime Minister
Remarks on the Start of Military Action in Afghanistan
This is an uncorrected transcript of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's remarks on the start of military action against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
I want to pay tribute if I might, right at the outset, to Britain's armed forces. There is no greater strength for a British prime minister and the British nation at a time like this than to know that the forces we are calling upon are amongst at the very best in the world.
They and their families are, of course, carrying an immense burden at this moment and will be feeling deep anxiety, as will the British people. But we can take pride in their courage, their sense of duty and the esteem with which they are held throughout the world.
No country lightly commits forces to military action and the inevitable risks involved, but we made it clear following the attacks upon the United States on September 11 that we would take part in action once it was clear who was responsible.
There is no doubt in my mind, nor in the mind of anyone who has been through all the available evidence, including intelligence material, that these attacks were carried out by the Al Qaeda network masterminded by Osama bin Laden.
Equally, it is clear that his network is harbored and supported by the Taliban regime inside Afghanistan.
It is now almost a month since the atrocity occurred. It is more than two weeks since an ultimatum was delivered to the Taliban to yield up terrorists or face the consequences. It is clear beyond doubt that they will not do this. They were given the choice of siding with justice or siding with terror, and they chose to side with terror.
There are three parts, all equally important, to the operation in which we're engaged: military, diplomatic and humanitarian.
The military action we are taking will be targeted against places we know to be involved in the al Qaeda network of terror, or against the military apparatus of the Taliban. This military plan has been put together mindful of our determination to do all we humanly can to avoid civilian casualties.
