THE PRESIDENT:
I have just completed a
meeting with my national security team, and we have received the latest
intelligence updates.
The deliberate and deadly attacks
which were carried out yesterday against our country were
more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.
This will require our country to unite
in steadfast determination and resolve. Freedom and
democracy are under attack.
The American people
need to know that we're facing a different enemy
than we have ever
faced. This enemy hides in shadows, and has no regard
for human life. This is an enemy who
preys on innocent and unsuspecting
people, then runs for cover.
But it won't be able to run for cover
forever. This is an enemy
that tries to hide. But it won't be able to hide
forever. This is an enemy that thinks its harbors are
safe. But they won't be safe forever.
This enemy attacked not just our people,
but all freedom-loving people
everywhere in the world.
The United States of America will use all our
resources to conquer this enemy.
We will rally the world. We will be patient, we will be
focused, and we will be steadfast in our determination.
This battle will take time and
resolve. But make no mistake about it: we will win.
The federal government and all our agencies are
conducting business. But it is not business as usual. We
are operating on a heightened security alert.
America is going forward, and as we do so, we
must remain keenly
aware of the threats to our country.
Those in authority should take appropriate precautions to protect our
citizens.
But we will not allow this enemy to win
the war by changing our way of life or restricting our
freedoms. This morning, I am sending to Congress a
request for emergency funding authority, so that
we are prepared to spend whatever it takes to rescue
victims, to help the citizens of New York City
and Washington, D.C. respond to this tragedy, and
to protect our national security.
I want to thank the
members of Congress for their unity and support.
America is united. The freedom-loving
nations of the world stand by our side.
This will be a monumental struggle of good versus
evil. But good will prevail.