For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 9, 2001
President's Letter to Congress on American Response to Terrorism
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
October 9, 2001
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
At approximately 12:30 p.m. (EDT) on October 7, 2001, on my orders,
U.S. Armed Forces began combat action in Afghanistan against Al Qaida
terrorists and their Taliban supporters. This military
action is a part of our campaign against terrorism and is designed to
disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations.
We are responding to the brutal September 11 attacks on our
territory, our citizens, and our way of life, and to the continuing
threat of terrorist acts against the United States and our friends and
allies. This follows the deployment of various
combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number of locations in
the Central and Pacific Command areas of operations, as I reported to
the Congress on September 24, to prepare for the campaign to prevent
and deter terrorism.
I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct U.S. foreign relations as Commander in Chief and Chief
Executive. It is not possible to know at this time either the duration
of combat operations or the scope and dura-tion of the deployment of
U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the
United States. As I have stated previously, it is likely
that the American campaign against terrorism will be
lengthy. I will direct such additional measures as necessary
in exercise of our right to self-defense and to protect U.S. citizens
and interests.
I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution and Public
Law 107-40. Officials of my Administration and I have been
communicating regularly with the leadership and other members of
Congress, and we will continue to do so. I appreciate the
continuing support of the Congress, including its enactment of Public
Law 107-40, in these actions to protect the security of the United
States of America and its citizens, civilian and military, here and
abroad.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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