Bush: 'We Will Prevail' Against Terror

W A S H I N G T O N, Oct. 12, 2001 -- President Bush vowed to bring Osama bin Laden and other "evil-doers" to justice as he declared of his war on terrorism: "I am determined to stay the course."

"One month after great suffering and sorrow, America is strong and determined and generous," Bush said in a news conference from the East Room of the White House Thursday night, his first since taking office. The session marked a month since the Sept. 11 hijacking attacks that killed thousands and rattled America's foundation. Read a transcript of the news conference.

Bush decided Thursday morning to hold this first prime-time press conference by a president since April of 1995. Just hours before he took to the podium, the FBI issued an extraordinary warning that new terrorist attacks against the United States could occur any day.

"Today, the Justice Department did issue a blanket alert," Bush said. "It was in recognition of a general threat we received." If more specific intelligence suggests imminent attacks on any particular target, Bush moved to assure the national television audience, the government will do "everything possible" to guard against the threat.

But the president asked Americans to refrain from using their fear of new attacks "as an opportunity to pick on someone," urging people to show tolerance toward Muslims and Arab-Americans amid the war against terrorism.

Bush made it clear that the targets of U.S. anger are bin Laden, his al Qaeda network and Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime.

"People often ask me, 'How long will this last?' This particular battle front will last as long as it takes to bring al Qaeda to justice. It may happen tomorrow. It may happen a month from now. It may take a year or two but we will prevail," Bush said.

Bush said he did not know if bin Laden was dead or alive. "I want him brought to justice, however," he said.

Claiming Success in U.S. Assault

After five days of U.S. bombing in Afghanistan, where the ruling Taliban militia has been harboring Osama bin Laden and others believed behind the terror strikes that downed four jets, killed thousands and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and a portion of the Pentagon, the president assured that major military accomplishments have been achieved.

"We have ruined terrorist training camps, disrupted their communications, weakened the Taliban military and destroyed most of their air defenses," Bush said.

The president added that the United States is prepared to expand military operations to take on any nations that host terrorists. Bush singled out Iraq as a country that needs watching and said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should allow U.N. inspectors back into the country.

"There's no question that he leader of Iraq is an evil man," Bush said. "After all, he gassed his own people. We know he's been developing weapons of mass destruction."

Bush noted that some nations that the United States in the past found to support terrorism have expressed a desire now to help, namely Syria. "If you want to join the coalition against terror, we'll welcome you in," Bush said.

Asked if he was willing now to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Bush said he was pleased Arafat was trying to control radical Palestinian elements. But he said he would meet with Arafat only if concrete developments were guaranteed and not "an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations that will become dashed."

Looking beyond the battles, Bush signaled the United Nations could be brought in to stabilize Afghanistan after the Taliban is crushed.

Message to Americans

The nation is a different place than it was a month ago, Bush said. "This is a time of testing … We're angry at the evil that was done to us, yet patient and just in our response."

As he has several times since the attacks, Bush tried both to ask Americans to be vigilant in alerting authorities to suspicious activities as well as to go on living their lives as normally as possible.

"I think the American people are sacrificing now … There's a certain sacrifice when you lose a piece of your soul," Bush said.

"The evil ones have sparked an interesting change in America, I think, a compassion in our country that is overflowing. I know their intended act was to destroy us and make us cowards and make us not want to respond but quite the opposite has happened. Our nation is united, we are strong, we're compassionate, neighbors care about neighbors."

In a sign of the weight of president's words at such a precarious time in history, even the national pastime was put on hold to make room for the press conference. Major League Baseball decided to push back the start of Game 2 of the American League division series between New York and Oakland so fans could catch Bush's remarks.